BACKGROUND: The prevalence of overweight and obesity
among children is increasing worldwide with significant health
and social consequences.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the current
nutritional status and its changes between 1983 and 2006
among school children and adolescents in a South western
Nigeria town.
METHODS: Five hundred and seventy children aged 5 to 19
years from randomly selected primary and secondary schools
in Abeokuta, Nigeria had their weights and height measured
using standard techniques. The data obtained were compared
with data obtained from a similar cross sectional survey
carried out in 1983. The National Centre for Health Statistics/
World Health Organisation guidelines and cut-off points were
used to determine the degree of underweight and stunting.
Obesity prevalence was assessed using weight for age greater
than 120 % of expected.
RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 12.2 + 3.41
years, 296 (51.5 %) were males. The mean Weight-for-Age Z
–score and Height-for-Age Z-score were -1.2773 + 1.14 and –
0.8569 + 1.19 respectively. The prevalence rates of
underweight and stunting were 24.7 % and 17.4 %
respectively. Using weight greater than 120 % of expected
weight for age, five (1.7 %) male and 7 (2.6 %) female children
were obese compared to 3.3 % male and 5.1 % female children
who were obese in 1983.
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity has
remained relatively unchanged between 1983 and 2006.
However, under-nutrition remains a major nutritional problem
among school children and adolescents in Abeokuta, Nigeria.