Anthropometric and Iron Status of Adolescents From Selected Secondary Schools in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose. We assessed the anthropometric and iron status of adolescents from selected secondary schools in Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, anthropometric data, nutrient data, and blood samples were collected from 127 adolescents in Nigeria. Demographic information of the adolescents was obtained in the language of choice using validated questionnaires. Anthropometric indices (weight and height), multiple iron status indicator (hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and transferrin receptor) and inflammation marker (C-reactive protein) were measured using standard procedures. Subjects were classified by body mass index (BMI) categories as underweight, normal weight, at risk of overweight, and overweight according to the World Health Organization standard. Results. The mean age of the subjects was 16.0 ± 2.3 years. Majority of the subjects (55.1%) had normal BMI values, 21.3% were underweight, and 14.2% were overweight. Boys had significantly (<0.05) higher mean intake for energy and most nutrients than girls. The dietary iron intake of the adolescents was unsatisfactory, with approximately 80% of the subjects failing to meet RNI level. Using multiple criteria of iron indicators, the prevalence of iron depletion and iron deficiency in the adolescents were 7.9% and 15.0%, respectively. The prevalence of anemia was high (24.4%), with iron deficiency anemia being the most (71%) prevalent. In both boys and girls, ferritin correlated positively with BMI, waist circumference, and waist–hip ratio. Conclusions. This study documented a high prevalence of iron deficiency and poor nutritional status among Nigeria adolescents, which can be used as basic for dietary support and nutritional education to improve their iron status.

Nutrient Intake in Children 4–13 Years Old in Ibadan, Nigeria

“…Previous studies in Nigerian children and adolescents reported fat intakes ranging from 44.3 to 84.8 g/d [7,8,28], whereas we saw intakes at closer to 30 g/d. One possible explanation is that our sample included younger children, beginning at the age of 4 years, whereas the youngest children in the previous studies were 6 years old [7], 8 years old [28], and 10 years old [8]. However, even among older children, the fat intakes reported in our study tended to be lower than previous reports.…”

“…We compared protein intakes with the AMDR, whereas previous studies in Nigeria compared protein intakes to the RNI [ 7 , 8 ] or presented average protein intakes as a percentage of total energy [ 28 ]. Amounts of protein consumed by school-age children in Ibadan were similar to those reported in previous studies in Enugu State [ 7 ] and Ogun State [ 8 , 28 ]. We also observed a decrease in protein intakes in older school children compared to the younger ones, which is similar to findings from the study in Enugu State [ 7 ].…”

“…The most recent previous studies of Nigerian school children reported mean intakes of calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin A, some B vitamins, and vitamin C [ 4 , 7 , 8 ]. These studies have reported large percentages of children below the RNI for iron, calcium, vitamin B6, B12 [ 8 ], vitamin A, and iodine [ 4 ]. However, simply comparing mean intakes to an RNI does not identify the proportion of the population at risk for inadequacy.…”

“…One-quarter of the children 6–15 years of age were below the RNI for vitamin A [ 6 ], and low intakes of calcium and niacin were also observed [ 7 ]. In a study among 10–19-year-olds from lower socio-economic schools within Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria, significant numbers of children had intakes below the RNIs for iron, vitamins B6, B12, and calcium [ 8 ]. Low consumption of iron, folate, and calcium was also reported for adolescent girls 12–18 years old from Akwa Ibom State, which is located in the coastal southern part of the country [ 9 ].…”

Dietary Practices, Nutrient Adequacy, and Nutrition Status among Adolescents in Boarding High Schools in the Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

“…Likewise, the higher prevalence of anaemia in the female is due to rise in iron requirements due to menstruation [ 44 , 95 ]. Anaemia among female adolescents has consequences on their growth and development, the cognitive ability, and hence affects academic performances and irregular menstrual cycle [ 96 ]. It also affects physical fitness and work productivity and may lead to reproductive complications [ 94 ].…”