DIETARY INTAKES, ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS AND INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT OF ADOLESCENTS IN SELECTED BOARDING SCHOOLS IN AKURE, ONDO STATE

Abstract

Adequate nutrition is essential during adolescent period. Adolescence (10-19) is a transition phase between childhood and adulthood. A combination of extra nutritional demands of adolescent growth spurt and inadequate dietary intakes has contributed to poor nutritional and health-wellbeing of adolescents in Nigeria. Hence, the present study aims at evaluating dietary intakes, anthropometry and intelligent quotients of adolescents in boarding schools. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 492 adolescent students in boarding secondary schools aged 10 to 19 years old. There were nine private and six public secondary schools with boarding facilities in Akure community and out of which five (2 private and 3 public schools) were purposely selected. The sample size was determined using the Computer Programme for Epidemiologists (PEPI) version 3:02. Employing the sample size formula [S = (Z/E)2 (P) (1-P)] with proportion of interest (P) of 50%. The data collection tools included a questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, Raven’s attitude test for intelligent quotient (IQ) determination and direct food weighing method. A questionnaire was used to collect information on the bio-data of the children and their eating patterns. Height and weight of the students were measured and Body Mass Index (BMI) (an index of current nutritional status) and Height-for-age (an index of past nutritional status) were determined. Intelligent quotients were assessed using Standard Progressive Matrices test method. Food intakes were assessed using direct food weighing methods and food samples were collected for proximate, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids and anti-nutrient analyses using standard procedures. Protein intakes ranged from 72.55±0.32g/day among students in private schools to 95.28±0.70g/day in public schools and fibre intakes ranged from 16.93±0.02g/day in private schools to 23.14±0.04g/day in public schools; while energy intakes ranged from 984.8±2.04 kcal/day in private schools to 1486.3±32.31kcal/day in public schools. Mineral contents in the dietary intakes of adolescents in the public schools ranged from 1.26±0.04 to 382.95±0.09 mg/day for copper and phosphorus respectively, while that of the private school ranged from 1.79±0.07 to 267.2±0.09 mg/day for copper and phosphorus respectively. The total essential amino acid (TEAAs) values ranged from 233.3 mg/day to 347.1 mg/day in private male school to public female school while the daily intakes of saturated fatty acid of the students ranged between 40.0 g/day to 140 g/day in private and public secondary schools respectively. The polyunsaturated fatty acid intakes of the students ranged from 2.81g/day in private female school to 10.16 g/day in private male school; while mono unsaturated fatty acid intakes ranged from 9.43 g/day in private female school to 30.74 g/day in public male school. Body Mass Index (BMI) of the subjects showed that 21% were underweight, 70% normal, 8% overweight and 1% obese. For height-for-age (HFA), 72% of the total subjects were normal, 20% mildly stunted and 1% severely stunted. Statistically, there were significant difference between the BMI and HFA of students in private and public schools respectively. Intelligent quotient (IQ) classification of the subjects showed that 9.8% were genius, 33.3% were above average and 29.9% were classified as average, while 11.4% and 15.6% were classified as below average and poor IQ respectively. Relationship between nutritional status and IQ of the adolescents showed that there was a correlation between BMI and IQ (p=0.043), whereas, there was no correlation between HFA and IQ of the subjects (p=0.918). In conclusion, findings established that the adolescent students were not able to meet their daily energy and fiber requirements, however, the requirements for protein and iron were met. Over 70% of the subjects were classified normal BMI and HFA; while over three-quarter of the subjects were above average in terms of intelligent quotients (IQ). In view of these findings, there is a need to improve on the dietary intakes of the students in terms of quality and quantity, and to make school environment more conducive for better cognitive and academic performance.