Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

Dietary Intake, Physical Activity and Nutritional Status of Adolescent Girls in Secondary Schools in Peri-Urban Nairobi, Kenya

Phylis W Andambi*

Adolescence is a significant period in life as it is a time of intense physical, psychosocial, and cognitive development. Across sectional and comparative study was conducted to assess dietary intake, physical activity and nutritional status of 402 randomly selected adolescent girls aged 13-18 years in boarding and day secondary schools in peri-urban Kenya. Semi structured pretested questionnaire was used to collect data on dietary intake of energy iron, vitamin A and zinc using food frequency and individualized 24 hour dietary recall and analyzed using Nutria-survey and Kenya food composition table 2018. Physical activity was computed using the global physical activity questionnaire with metabolic equivalent in task values of 8 for high and 4 for moderate. Nutritional status was measured using BMI z-score for age. Girls from boarding who met their RDA for energy, iron, vitamin A and zinc were 51.9%, 11%, 18.5% and 29.6% respect% and while those from day school were 66.7%, 7%, 44.4% and 44.4% respectively. At 95% CI the results showed a positive association between school type and intake of energy at p=0.037 and vitamin A at p=0.042 and no association for iron and zinc intake There was no significant relation of physical activity between girls in boarding and day school at p=0.073. Nutritional status measured as BMI for age -5-19 years (z-score) showed a positive association of energy intake and nutritional status at p=0.021 but there was no association at p=.0.296 between nutritional status and type of school.

Published Date: 2021-10-15; Received Date: 2021-08-02