Regional and socio-demographic predictors of dietary proficiency of adolescent girls in Nigeria

Motunrayo Funke Olumakaiye; Ogechi Chinwe Nzeagwu; Olufunmilola Comfort Otitoola; Oluwaseun Ariyo; John Abe; Bolanle Popoola; Ayodele Gbemileke; Oseyemi Esther Akinyotu

doi:10.51745/najfnr.8.18.195-206

Regional and socio-demographic predictors of dietary proficiency of adolescent girls in Nigeria

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Nutrition Education and Dietetics Infant, Child, and Adolescent Nutrition

DOI https://doi.org/10.51745/najfnr.8.18.195-206

Issue Vol. 8 No. 18 (2024): July - December, 2024

Submitted 2024-06-06

Accepted 2024-10-26

Published 2024-11-25

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Background: Dietary behaviors of female adolescents are of increasing concern due to their critical role in determining long-term health outcomes.

Aims: This study aimed at investigating dietary proficiency of adolescent girls aged 10 – 19.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 2261 in-school female adolescents aged 10 – 19 years. Participants were selected using a multistage stratified random sampling procedure was used to select participants from three geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Two states were selected from three geopolitical zones in Nigeria: North-Central (Kogi and Niger States), South-East (Abia and Imo States), and South-West (Osun and Ondo States). A validated questionnaire was employed to collect data on sociodemographic variables, Dietary Diversity (DD), Nutrition Knowledge (NK), and Dietary Behavior (DB). These variables were combined to define Dietary Proficiency. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. Chi-square test assessed regional associations, while logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of dietary proficiency (DP). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Significant regional variations were observed in DD (χ2 = 36.069), NK (χ2 = 56.895), DB (χ2 = 176.52), and DP (χ2 = 40.551). Older girls residing in peri-urban location, from Igbo ethnic group, and moderately large household predicted a likelihood of higher DD with odd ratios exceeding 1. Larger household size (OR = 1.056, 95% CI = 0.813 – 1.373) predicted higher NK. Residing in South-East region (OR = 2.030, 95% CI = 1.640 – 2.513) and being in the mid-adolescent girls (14 – 16 years) (OR = 2.093, 95%CI=1.589 – 2.756) doubled the likelihood of high DB. Predictors of higher DP included older age (OR = 1.160, 95% CI = 0.923 –1.457) and residence in the South-East region (OR = 1.148, 95% CI = 0.883–1.49).

Conclusion: Regional and sociodemographic differences significantly influenced dietary proficiency among adolescent girls. Addressed these disparities through targeted nutrition education and awareness programs is crucial for promoting healthier dietary behaviors and improving overall dietary proficiency in this population.

Motunrayo Funke Olumakaiye

Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile–Ife (OAU) Ile–Ife, Osun State
Ogechi Chinwe Nzeagwu

Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture; Umudike, Imo State
Olufunmilola Comfort Otitoola

Department of Biochemical Sciences, Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State
Oluwaseun Ariyo

Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics; University of Ibadan; Ibadan, Oyo State
John Abe

Department of Demographics and Social Statistics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Ile – Ife, Osun State
Bolanle Popoola

Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife (OAU); Ile – Ife, Osun State
Ayodele Gbemileke

Nutrition International, Abuja Abuja
Oseyemi Esther Akinyotu

Department of Home Economics, Adeyemi University of Education, Ondo; Ondo State

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Regional and socio-demographic predictors of dietary proficiency of adolescent girls in Nigeria. (2024). The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research, 8(18), 195-206. https://doi.org/10.51745/najfnr.8.18.195-206

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