Meal Pattern and Micro Nutrient Adequacy of Food Consumed by Secondary School Female Adolescents in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Adolescents have high nutritional needs but usually engage in unhealthy eating which has resulted into an irregular meal consumption pattern especially skipping of breakfast which has a significant impact on their health in adulthood. This study assessed meal pattern and micro-nutrient adequacy of food consumed by secondary school female adolescents in Ibadan. A cross-sectional descriptive study design was conducted among female adolescents in selected secondary schools in two Local Government Areas in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. A total of 384 respondents were used, using a proportionate random sampling technique, a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio demographic data, 24-hours dietary recall and food frequency questionnaire was used to collect information on meal pattern and food intake from respondents. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics to analyze the demographic factors, Total Dietary Assessment was used to analyze the 24-hours dietary recall and Chi-square was used to determine the association between meal pattern and micronutrient adequacy, with level of significance set at (p < 0.05). More than half 57.8% of the female respondents were between the ages of 13-15 years, 62.5% of them ate thrice a day while 60.2% of them skip meals of which lunch was mostly skipped. The result revealed that Calcium (mg) 26.02% is the most deficient of all the micronutrient while Vitamin B6, Zn and Fe met the RDA intake. Therefore, female adolescents should consume calcium supplement and foods rich in calcium more, government should also create more nutritional programs to enlighten them on the benefits of eating healthy.