Burden of Under-Nutrition amongst Adolescents in Uyo Urban Community, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the burden of under-nutrition amongst adolescents in Uyo Urban community in Akwa Ibom state, using standard methods and conducted between June 2017 and May 2019 amongst adolescents aged 10-18 years in secondary schools in Uyo by measuring weight, height, as well as determination of BMI Z-scores and Z-scores of height of children. Data obtained revealed that 167(9.8%) of the total respondents were stunted while 219(12.9%) were wasted. 101(60.8%) of the males were stunted while 66(39.8%) of the females were wasted. There was a significant association between the age, sex and under-nutrition (p=0.007).This study showed a high prevalence of stunting and wasting amongst adolescent in Uyo.