COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND DIET QUALITY OF ADOLESCENTS IN SELECTED GOVERNMENT-OWNED AND PRIVATE BOARDING SCHOOLS IN OGUN STATE.

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to assess and compare the nutritional status and diet quality of adolescents in selected government-owned and private boarding schools in ogun state. A total of 248 adolescents [public (123) and private (125)] were selected from 5 public and 3 private secondary schools using multistage sampling techniques. Data were collected on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, food consumption pattern, anthropometric measurement and nutrient intake. Data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. Data were analyzed using Total Diet Assessment, Anthro-plus software and the Diet Quality Questionnaire Indicator Calculator. Results showed that majority (64.9%) of the adolescents were between 15 – 18 years, private schools respondents consisted of 56 male and 69 female adolescents while public schools consisted of 56 male and 67 female adolescents. The median energy intake of female(F) and male(M) adolescents in public school was 1657.35 ±335.03kcal and 1652.85 ± 278.47kcal while for those in private schools was 2567.07 ±543.76(F) and 2628.81±550.69(M). The mean protein intake of female and male adolescents in public schools were 44.30± 15.86g and 42.52 ± 12.57g while for those in private schools were 78.56± 16.60g(F) and 77.26 ± 13.26g(M). Public schools adolescents consumed significantly less (p<0.05) energy and nutrients than those private schools. A higher proportion of private schools adolescents consumed fast foods(p<0.05) and red meat (p<0.05) while a larger proportion of public schools adolescents consumed more natural foods(p<0.05) and fruits(p<0.05). The waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-hip ratio of both types of schools were below WHO 2008 cutoff marks for abdominal obesity. There were more private schools respondent with normal BMI-for-age, while public schools had more underweight(1.2%) and overweight (1.6%) adolescents. Public schools adolescents had a slightly higher (9.4) Global Dietary Recommendations (GDR) score than (9.0) private schools adolescents, private and public schools adolescents had the same NCD protect score of 2.9. Private schools adolescents however had an higher (2.9) NCD (non-communicable disease) risk score than those (2.5) in public schools. An higher percentage (84%) of female private schools adolescents met the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) while only (50%) of female adolescents in public schools met the MDD-W. The dietary diversity score of adolescents in private schools (5.8) were also higher than those in (5.0) public schools. Private schools adolescents only showed a significant association (P ≤ 0.05) between Waist to Hip ratio and nutrient intake and there was no significant association (P ≤ 0.05) between other variables, while public schools adolescents, adolescents showed a significant association (P ≤ 0.05) between BMI-For-Age and nutrient intake and Waist to Hip ratio and nutrient intake and no significant association (P ≤ 0.05) between other variables . Therefore, the study concluded that an higher percentage of public school adolescents suffered from under-nutrition and over-nutrition, with almost all private school respondent being of normal range. The under-nutrition and over-nutrition occurring in public schools can be improved by implementing a standardized menu across all government-owned public schools.