Background: Nutrition has impact on human growth and development at all stages of life. Optimal nutrition at every stage of life is
therefore a fundamental human right.
Objectives: To review the status of adolescent, pre-pregnancy and maternal (APM) nutrition in Nigeria, in respect of Nutrition policy and
practice landscape and makes recommendation towards the promotion of APM nutrition in Nigeria.
Methodology: Review of relevant literature, and internet search, on Nutrition in Nigeria, including the review of Nigeria Food and
Nutrition Policy vid the health sector component, and FIGO Recommendation on Adolescent, Preconception, and Maternal Nutrition.
Result: Approximately 14million (8.5%) of Nigerian population are undernourished. Up to 37% of all children under-five in Nigeria are
classified as stunted. Micronutrient deficiency (Vitamin A, Iodine, Iron and Zinc) are common in Nigeria. The NDHS of 2013 showed that
under nutrition occurred in 23% of adolescent girls aged 15-19 years and that under nutrition was more prevalent among the rural women,
13%, compare to urban dwellers, 10%. Anaemia occurs in 35 –75% of pregnant women in Nigeria. The Nigeria Strategic Plan of Action
for Nutrition focused primarily on promoting nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life and made no reference to APM Nutrition. There
are no nutrition intervention policies and practices directed at the adolescent and pre-pregnant. Total energy intakes among adolescent,
pregnant and postpartum women are carbohydrate driven. Protein is of plant origin mainly from legumes, fat is obtained from red palm, and
vegetable, oil. Food restriction and inappropriate food preparation habit commonly occur amongst pregnant mothers in Nigeria. Exclusive
breastfeeding of the infant during the first six months of life has been recommended. FIGO expert committee on APM nutrition developed a
set of recommendations on Adolescent, Pre-pregnancy and Maternal Nutrition, for local adaptation.
Conclusion: APM Nutrition in Nigeria is poorly developed with few interventions. Promotion of APM nutrition will require a revision of
the Nigeria strategic plan of action for nutrition to include interventions targeted at the adolescent, pre-pregnant, pregnant and postpartum
women; Mobilisation of all stakeholders on nutrition towards nutrition intervention, advocacy and action; Quantification of the caloric value
of foods consumed locally together with the Identification of the domicile of relevant micronutrient in local foods; Local adaptation of FIGO
recommendation on APM Nutrition; and Development of Nutritional guidelines, and IEC materials relevant to the adolescent, pre-pregnancy,
pregnancy and post-partum period.