|
Relationship Between Dietary Intake, Physical Activity and Nutritional Status of Adolescent Girls Attending Junior High School in Sagnarigu Municipality, Tamale, Ghana
|
Shadrach Abuliko A-obiliya *   , Portia Maanu , John Baptis Dorzie K |
| University for Development Studies & Rural Initiatives for Self-Empowerment , Natshady10@gmail.com |
|
|
Abstract: (19 Views) |
Background and Objectives: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescent girls has become a major public health concern worldwide. Several factors serve as predictors of overweight: eating habits, dietary intake, and physical activity. However, the complex relationship between diet, physical activity, and nutritional status in these adolescent girls remains poorly understood.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of adolescent girls between the ages of 13 to 19 years in the Sagnarigu Municipal. Data on dietary intake, physical activity, and nutritional status were collected using structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements.
Results: Physical activity and dietary intake were significantly associated with BMI for age (wasted, overweight, obese). However, the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) had no significant relationship with BMI for age.
Conclusions: The results suggest that the physical activity and dietary intake of the participants were significantly associated with the nutritional status of the girls. Intervention research aimed at improving school-aged adolescent girls' nutritional status should also be implemented; policies to improve the school environment and encourage students to make healthy food choices should be enforced. |
|
| Keywords: Nutritional Status, Dietary Intake, Physical Activity, Adolescent girls |
|
|
Full-Text [PDF 617 kb]
(4 Downloads)
|
Article type: Research |
Subject:
Nutrition
Received: 2025/05/14 | Accepted: 2025/07/5 | Published: 2025/12/1
|
|
|
|
- A cross-sectional study was conducted among 397 adolescent girls aged 13–19 years in the Sagnarigu Municipality of Tamale, Ghana to assess their dietary intake, physical activity, and nutritional status.
- The prevalence of Overweight and obesity among the adolescent girls were 12.1% and 4.5%, respectively.
- About 50.6% of the adolescent girls were classified as physically inactive, while 49.4% were considered physically active.
- Significant associations were found between physical activity and BMI-for-age (χ² = 24.865, p = 0.003), as well as between meal frequency and BMI-for-age (χ² = 20.156, p = 0.003).
- The mean Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) was 6.2 ± 1.4; however, this showed no significant relationship with BMI-for-age (p = 0.097).
|
|
| Send email to the article author |
|
|
|
| Add your comments about this article |
|
|
|
