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PREVALENCE AND PATTERN OF ADOLESCENT MALNUTRITION IN A COMMUNITY IN SOKOTO, NORTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Background: Adolescence is accompanied by increase in nutritional requirements due to the rapid growth and development associated with it. Adolescent nutritional status extends to adulthood and a predisposing factor to childhood malnutrition and non-communicable diseases in adulthood. Objective: To determine the prevalence and pattern of malnutrition among adolescent in a semi-urban community in Sokoto. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study carried out between January and June, 2018 at Gwuiwa community, Wamakko LGA, Sokoto State. The demographics, weight, height and BMI were documented. Nutritional status was determined using the WHO BMI tables for appropriate age and gender. The socio-economic class of the participants was determined the Ogunlesi's classification. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 22.0. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Respondents' mean age was 12.6 (±2.3) about two-thirds of the respondents were aged 10-13 years. There were 84 (42.4%) males with M:F ratio of 1:1.4. One hundred and eight (54.6%), 63(31.8%) and 27(13.6%) were from lower, middle and upper socio-economic classes respectively. About a third (30.3%) of the respondents were stunted, 33 (16.7%) wasted and 3(1.5%) were overweight. Age (p=0.008) and socio-economic status (p= 0.04) were the correlates of adolescent malnutrition. Conclusion: Undernutrition is commoner among adolescents; with emerging overnutrition in the study area. There is need for concerted efforts on prevention at all levels to reduce its impact on non-communicable diseases and the nutritional status of future generations of our community.