Dietary and Haematological Evaluation of Adolescent Females in Nigeria

Abstract

Four hundred and eighteen adolescent females aged 12-18 years from Akwa Ibom State were studied for the effect of dietary intake and haematological values on the nutrition of adolescents. The mean intake of energy and nutrients calculated were below FAO Standard with an exception of Vitamin C. Iron, folacin and calcium were most deficient in the diets of the adolescents. More than 50% of the adolescent females had acceptable values of plasma protein, albumin and globulin. The haematological and biochemical study revealed low level of anaemia of about 4% among the subjects investigated. The result of the analysis showed positive correlation between protein, vitamin C riboflavin, and albumin (r = 0.95, p< 0.01 and r = 0.27; p< 0.05). However, calcium intake correlated negatively with haemoglobin level (r=0.27; p< 0.05). The findings of the study offer an insight into the nutritional status of the adolescent females in Akwa Ibom State as applied to Nigeria.