Diet quality of in-school adolescents in Abeokuta, Nigeria based on the diet quality index–international: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background
Adolescence is a critical period for growth and a second window of opportunity for catch-up growth after the first growth spurt that occurs during the first 1000 days of life. During adolescence, activities to build healthy nutrition may confer significant long-term benefits.
Objective
This cross-sectional study assessed dietary intake, nutrient adequacy, and diet quality of 303 public secondary school students in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Methods
Respondents’ anthropometry was measured and WHO Anthroplus was used to calculate the height-for-age and body mass index for-age z-scores. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24-hour diet recall questionnaire, and the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I) questionnaire was used to determine diet quality.
Results
Excessive intake of carbohydrates was observed among all respondents while inadequate intakes of calcium, vitamin C, and fibre were observed among 80.8%, 100%, 95.4%, and 66.2% of the respondents, respectively. The total mean score for diet quality was 58.7±6.73 out of 100. Compared to the total score of the DQI-I domains, the highest mean performance was in the moderation category (79.5%), followed by variety (72.8%), and adequacy (45.8%), with the lowest performance in the overall balance category (19.7%).
Conclusions
In conclusion, these adolescents had lower than the cut-off score for a good diet quality. Inadequacies in vegetables and fruit groups below the recommended levels contributed to low mean scores and likely to some of the deficient nutrient intakes. Interventions including regulating the food sold by vendors and nutrition education to encourage better consumption of fruits and vegetables are recommended in schools.