Nutritional Information and Food Consumption Pattern of Adolescents’ Secondary School Students in the Urban-Slum Communities of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Nutritional status is influenced by the food consumed, health status, sanitary environment and accessibility to nutritional information. This study explored nutritional information and food consumption pattern of adolescents’ secondary school in urban slums, using students in public secondary schools in Ibadan North Local Government Area (IBNLGA), Oyo State, Nigeria. A descriptive study was conducted using a three stage random sampling technique to select 467 respondents. Data were collected using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, observational checklist, and Hellen Keller International food frequency questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and logistic regression statistics. Results revealed among others that respondents’ favourite foods were cassava-based, and sources of nutrition information included teachers (41.8%), parents (33.8%), television (22.1%), radio (16.7%) and siblings (1.3%). The study concluded that many respondents were underweight partly due to poor food consumption pattern as a result of inadequate access to nutritional information. This study recommended more intensive approach to address health and nutrition issues by providing adequate nutritional information in this age group.