Dietary Patterns, Weight Perception and Lifestyle Behaviors among Adolescents in Public and Private Secondary Schools in Umuahia South Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Adolescence, defined as the period between 10 and 19 years of age, represents a critical stage of growth and development during which adequate nutrition is essential for optimal physical, cognitive, and psychosocial health. This study aimed to assess the dietary patterns and nutritional status of adolescents attending public and private secondary schools in Umuahia South Local Government Area (LGA), Abia State, Nigeria. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 399 adolescents selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and anthropometric measurements, and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27.0. Most respondents were aged 13–15 years (44.9%) and female (52.1%). Dietary practices were characterized by frequent breakfast skipping, with 19.0% skipping breakfast almost daily and 23.3% doing so three to four times weekly, mainly because of insufficient time in the morning (28.3%). Frequent consumption of energy-dense snacks was observed, with 25.8% consuming snacks more than once daily, while 32.8% consumed starchy staples such as Garri five to six times weekly. Sedentary behavior was also common, with 16.8% reporting no day of at least 60 minutes of physical activity per week and 59.4% spending three or more hours daily on recreational screen time. Although 47.4% perceived their body weight as normal, 31.6% perceived themselves as overweight or obese compared with 21.1% who perceived themselves as underweight. No statistically significant association was observed between father's educational level and breakfast skipping (χ² = 20.58, df = 18, p = 0.301) or between sex and weight-control practices (χ² = 5.75, df = 5, p = 0.331). The findings indicate that unhealthy dietary practices and sedentary lifestyles are common among adolescents in the study area and underscore the need for comprehensive school-based nutrition education, promotion of regular physical activity, and strengthened school nutrition policies to encourage healthier dietary behaviors.