Dietary Patterns, Nutritional Knowledge and Status of Adolescents in Lagos, Nigeria.

Abstract Background Adolescents in low- and middle-income countries, such as Nigeria, are at increased risk of under-nutrition and overnutrition. This study assessed this risk by examining the dietary patterns, nutritional knowledge and status of adolescents in Lagos state of Nigeria.Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study in which six hundred and eighty-two (682) adolescents were selected from their communities using multistage sampling technique. Nutritional knowledge and dietary patterns were ascertained using structured, self-administered questionnaires and anthropometric measurements were taken to determine nutritional status. Data was analyzed using Epi-Info version 7.2.3.1 computer software. Chi-square was used to test for association between categorical variables and p-values ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant. WHO Anthro-Plus was used to evaluate nutritional status.Results The mean age of the adolescents was 13.6±2.3 years. Only 12.0% of them had good level of nutritional knowledge with the males having significantly higher levels. Dietary pattern and diversity were poor with the majority consuming refined cereals (73.5%), salty snacks/high fat foods (69.6%) and carbonated soft drinks (46.8%) while only 9.7% took adequate amount of fruits and vegetables daily. Prevalence of undernutrition was 5.4% while that of overweight and obesity were 10.7% and 5.3% respectively. More females were obese compared with the males. Sex, age, educational status, source of information, daily consumption of snacks, infrequent intake of fruits and vegetables, nutritional knowledge, food habits and dietary diversity were statistically significantly associated with nutritional status of adolescents in the positive direction (p≤0.05).Conclusions Nutritional knowledge and dietary patterns were poor while overweight and obesity are higher than previously reported in the region; especially among the females. Adolescent nutrition intervention programmes addressing weight control especially among females is needed in Lagos.