Malnutrition in Adolescent Girls in Ghana

Abigail Darko

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Malnutrition is one of the major health issues challenging sub Saharan Africa of which Ghana is included. Good nutrition in adolescent girls is important as it helps to determine the health status, physical growth and later progress in life. Proper nutrition is the right of every child for developing essentially and having a quality life. The issue of malnutrition does not only affect the nutritional status of an individual but also impede the economic and social development of a country. The adolescent girls of today are future potential mothers of very country, it of upmost importance that their wellbeing is greatly considered both on the household and national. The study was aimed at evaluating the weight and height of adolescents and also assess the dietary intake of the girls Adolescent girls were selected randomly selected from three basic schools. A total of 120 adolescent age 10-15 years and 120 caregiver were surveyed for the study. Data was collected by administrating pre-tested questionnaires to both the adolescents and their caregivers. Height and weight were measured and dietary intake were obtained using the dietary questionnaire. The result from the study indicated that there was on significant p (>0.034) on the caregivers knowledge on the BMI of adolescents. Adolescents had normal BMI but were stunted in accordance with the WHO scale. Age 10 had a mean BMI for 15.9 kg/m2 and mean of height of 124.8 cm. Girls who were 11 years had a mean BMI and mean height of 17.3 kg/m2 and 130.1 cm .The mean BMI and height for 12 years was 18.4kg/m2 and 139.4 cm, who were those 13 years had a mean BMI and height of 19 .1 kg/m2 and 144.3 cm. The group of 14 years mean BMI of 18.8 kg/m2 and that of mean height was 145.1 cm, mean BMI and height for 15 years was 18.4 kg/m2 and 149.6 cm. Diets lack diversity, carbohydrate was the most consumed food commodity. This may contribute to nutrient deficiency. It is recommended that there should be a nationwide awareness on malnutrition in adolescent girls.

Keywords

Adolescent, Malnutrition, Knowledge, Caregiver, Weight, Height, BMI, Ghana

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 22. 4. 2016

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: prof. MVDr. Daniela Lukešová, CSc.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme / field:
Tropical Agriculture / Animal and Food Sciences in Tropics and Subtropics