SNACKING HABIT AND ANTHROPOMETRIC STATUS OF ADOLESCENTS IN NJABA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE

ABSTRACT

Adolescence is an important period of growth as well as establishment of healthy balanced behaviour for balanced nutrient intakes. This research work assesses the snacking habits and anthropometric status of adolescents in Njaba Local Government Area in Imo State. The study employed the use of a cross sectional study design. The population of the study was made up of adolescents 10-19 years of age in Njaba L.G.A of Imo State. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 292 adolescents for the study. Personal data and snacking habits of the adolescents were gotten with the help of a structured questionnaire. The data realized were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency and percentages while the relationship between the variables were analyzed using Pearson Correlation. The result on personal data of the adolescents showed that more than half (57.9%) of the adolescents were females, majority (92.1%) were Christians and 50.8% lived in households made up of 4-6 persons. The result on educational status of the parents showed that 41.7% of the fathers had primary education as against 42.4% for the mothers. The result on occupation showed that more than half (55.2%) of the fathers were traders as against 33.4% for the mothers. The result on snacking habits of the adolescents showed that half (50.3%) of the adolescents consumed snacks 1-2 days weekly, for the weekly record, 46.2% of the adolescents consumed snacks at least 2 times a day for the daily record and 56.6% of them consumed snacks only once per day over the weekends. The result on anthropometric status showed that 4.8% of the girls were overweight as against 3.3% for the boys, 3.6% of the girls were obese as against 2.4% for the boys while 4.1% of the boys were underweight as against 2.9% of the girls. The study further revealed that 3.1% of the entire adolescents were obese, 4.1% were overweight while 3.4% were underweight. The result on the relationship between snacking habits and anthropometric status of the adolescents showed that anthropometric status was significantly and positively correlated to snacking habits, which implied that an increase in snacking habits will lead to increased BMI in the adolescent population. Conclusively the study is of the opinion that snacking habits of adolescents do have a significant impact on their anthropometric status.

2.2.1 Role of snacks in our diet                                                9

 

4.4 Availability of different snacks in lunch boxes and pattern of buying snacks during school hours 30

4.3a. Seven days recall of the adolescent snack consumption in Njaba L.G.A of Imo State 29

 

Adolescence is the period between childhood and adulthood, the age group within the range is 10–19 years of age (WHO, 2000). It is an important period of growth as well as establishment of healthy balanced behaviour for balanced nutrient intakes. A balanced nutrient intake promotes appropriate physical growth, development, and plays an important role in maintaining mental and emotional stability (Patal et al., 2007). However, three meals a day may not be sufficient for providing nutrients required for growth, and snack consumption between regular meals are necessary to supplement nutrients (Lobstein et al., 2004). Adolescence is one of the most interesting and challenging period in human growth and development. It is interesting because boyish and girlish look suddenly change because of certain growth rate, it is challenging because these sudden changes warrant special nutritional needs. Recent reports indicate that girls and boys (growth spurts) are between 11 to 13 and 13 to 15 years, respectively (Hammond et al., 2005). More importantly, adolescents are peculiarly vulnerable to nutrient deficiencies because of the demand for nutrients due to dramatic changes in physical growth and development; changes in their food habits and lifestyles which may affect their nutrient intake (Ojofeitimi, 2007). 

Intake of calcium in the first two decades of life is an important determinant of body density in life and reduces susceptibility to osteoporosis (weak bone) developing in later years. Some snack foods are ideally placed to help in food calcium intake, many of which are acceptable and fit in teenagers’ lifestyle and taste (Hulthen et al., 2003). Teenagers also need to consume good and regular amount of iron to support and ensure adequate stores are laid down. Poor iron intake can lead to anaemia especially in teenager girls. Studies have shown that this condition cannot only lead to tiredness in them but also affects concentration and thus potential achievement in school work (Halterman et al., 2001). At this age, there is rapid growth, hence calcium and vitamin are also very important at this stage (Hedley et al., 2014).

Akinyele, (2007) reported that snacks contributed enormous proportion of the daily mean nutrient intake of Nigerians. The study reported that the daily mean nutrient intake by adolescence less than or equal 20 years of age from snacks is 1,255.7kcal energy, 22.9g protein, 19.6g fat, 10.4mg iron, 277.8mg calcium, 692.5mg phosphorus, 0.8mg  riboflavin and 19.1mg of ascorbic acid. 

During adolescence, a number of social changes influence eating habits. It is a period of greater autonomy, even of rebellion against the habit of childhood with gastronomic experience for pleasure and with little thought for nutrition (Barbara and Robert, 2001). Soft drinks, snacks and fast foods are the rule, as long as the products are fashionable and fit for teenager image. A more direct problem for adolescence involves concentration at school particularly late morning and late afternoon. This can be solved by healthy snacks which keep blood glucose levels high enough to prevent fatigue (Hedley et al., 2014).

The shift from teenage years to adulthood has been shown to be a period of acceptance for many negative health behaviours including increases in smoking, decreases in physical activities, and fruit and vegetable consumption. As for college student, research has found that the first year of their student life may often lead to adoption of unhealthy dietary pattern, and they are more susceptible to gain more weight (Hoffman et al., 2006). Healthy behaviours of children and young people have been of interest by many researchers especially in recent years. A  proper  lifestyle, which also include proper eating habit which are the basis for the health status of adolescents and adults, should be monitored to ensure children’s correct physical and psychological development. This is especially important in rural areas (Mitchikpe et al., 2009). A rational diet is considered an important element of a healthy lifestyle. Many studies indicate the existence of numerous irregularity in the nutrition of children and adolescents which results in their being overweight and obese. Obesity rate in adolescent are rapidly increasing worldwide. Obesity is caused by a continuing in-balance between energy intake and output (Tappy and Le, 2010). 

 

Anthropometry refers to the measurement of the human individual. It involves the systematic measurement of the physical properties of the human body, primarily, dimensional descriptors of body size and shape (Forster and Gariballa, 2005). Anthropometry, which is the scientific study of human body measurements, has been used to assess the nutritional status of individuals. These measurements can be used to determine the prevalence of undernutrition, overweight, obesity, muscular mass loss, fat mass gain, adipose tissue distribution, and evaluate the need for nutritional support (Harper, 2000). Anthropometric indicator are used to evaluate the prognosis of chronic and acute diseases, and to guide medical intervention in the individual (De Groot et al., 2011).

Logically, frequent intake of snacks among the adolescents can contribute to overweight/obesity. Adolescents eat snacks frequently and sometimes replace meal with snacks and then over-eat the next meal and are more likely to become obese by consuming high calories snacks. Snacking frequently affects the intake of macro-nutrient and few micro-nutrients (Sebastian et al., 2008). Adolescent who snack more and less active are likely to gain more weight because they tend not to burn up the extra calories intake. But people that are more active will be burning up the extra calories gained (Lauden, 2000). 

            

Moreover, obesity has long been associated with increased risk for serious health outcomes including hypertension, coronary heart disease and insulin resistance. On the other hand, low physical activity and dietary habits increase the risk of becoming overweight and obese. Furthermore, as suggested by Koplan et al. (2005), skipping breakfast also plays an important role in obesity. In addition, children and adolescents who habitually skip breakfast are at high risk for skipping other meals, snacking, being less physically active and being overweight and obese (Utter et al., 2007). 

Obesity has been increasing in developed and developing countries (WHO, 2010). Obesity appears to be implicated in causing chronic diseases; for instance, hyperlipdemia, hypertension, and certain type of cancer (WHO 2010). The factors that causes obesity can be environmental, psychological, and genetic factors (Mahan and Escott – Stump, 2008). One of the causes of overweight in adolescents may be the frequency of daily snacks (Piernas and Popkin, 2010). Adolescent may adopt an unhealthy diet, including both main meals and snacks, because of a changing lifestyle during the college years (Papadake et al., 2007). Those snacks could be providing approximately 25% of the daily energy intake (Savige et al., 2007). Consequently, the frequency of snack or the lack there of per day may have increased or reduce total energy intake (Savige et al., 2007). 

The worldwide prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents has increased in recent decades (Rivweral et al., 2014). An estimated 170 million children under 18 years of age were overweight or obese in 2018 (Mistry and Puthussery, 2015). It has been projected that approximately 30% of all children will be affected by these conditions by 2030 (Mistry and Puthussery, 2015).

Prevalence rates of obesity for adolescents in Asia are highest (Caleyachetty et al., 2015). Furthermore, there are large within and between countries variation across Asia 3.5% in rural Bangladesh to over 65% in the Maldives (Jayawardena et al., 2013), 30% in Iran and Saudi Arabia and approximately12.5% for Chinese children (Lobstein et al., 2015). Obesity in early life is a precursor to obesity in adulthood and excess weight in adult is associated with many adverse health outcome including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease and type of cancer (Mistry and Puthussery, 2015).

Obesity is a global epidemic not just among adults but also on children and adolescent. A study described the prevalence and pattern of obesity among in -school adolescent in Ile-ife, Osun State using standard methods. The result showed that the overall prevalence was 4.2% using BMI, result, whereas, the prevalence of obesity using the WHR technique was 37.2 % with majority being females (Orenstein et al., 2000). According to Gauthier et al. (2000), the prevalence of 20% was recorded which is also higher in female children. Ansa et al. (2001), conducted a study among Nigerian adolescent and reported the prevalence of 4% for ages 13-15 year and 3 % for ages 16-18 with higher values among females. Obesity among children and adolescent have reached an epidemic proportion as seen in developing countries and this is of great concern (Chatwal et al., 2004). Adolescents are said to make up about 20% of the world's population with 85% living in developing countries, they are said to have disease burden when compared with children and adults and were neglected until recently. As a result of the problems identified, the research is intended to find the relationship between snacking habits and anthropometric status of adolescents in Njaba L.G.A of Imo State.

The general objective of the study is to assess the snacking habits and anthropometric status of adolescents in Njaba Local Government Area in Imo State. 

The specific objectives are to: 

Data collected from this study will be used to increase knowledge in the subject areas as at time of the study, but may also be significant in the following ways.

Information gotten will help policy makers in designing policies that will benefit this age group, and also aid in designing appropriate nutritional intervention for this age group and among the populace. This study will be relevant to mothers and caregivers as to know the anthropometric status of their children and its health implication, then make appropriate adjustment where needed.

The study will be useful to Food and Agriculture Organization in improving household food and nutrition security through effective decision making. It could also be used in planning and implementing food, nutrition programmes and interventions on the quality and adequacy of smacks consumed by individuals.