(P13-054-25) Assessment of Dietary Habits and Determinants of Dietary Diversity Among Adolescents in Senegal: A Nationwide Study

Objectives: Adolescence is a key period of development, but the absence of an adequate diet contributes to impaired nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition. This study aimed to assess the dietary patterns and factors associated with dietary diversity among Senegalese adolescents.

Methods: A total of 2,193 adolescents aged 10-19 years old were included in a nationwide cross-sectional survey using a three-stage cluster sampling. Dietary habits were assessed over a 1-week recall period using a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Data on dietary diversity were gathered through a 24-hour recall and minimum dietary diversity (MDD) was determined according to FAO’s guidelines. A multiple logistic regression was used to identify determinants of MDD in adolescents.

Results: Almost all Senegalese adolescents (98%) had the 3 main meals. Home was the main place for having lunch (98%) and dinner (97.1%). However, 34.4% of adolescents ate breakfast outside in school canteens or at street vendors. Among adolescents attending school, more than half (55%) skipped breakfast before the morning class. In addition, 74.4% of adolescents used to snack most often in the morning (56.5%) and in the afternoon (37.6%). The main food groups consumed were starchy staples (over 95%) while eggs (7.6%) and milk and milk products (43.9%) were consumed by less than half of them. Four out five of Senegalese adolescents had reached the MDD. Adolescents aged 15-19 years (84.7%; P< 0.001) and those living in the fourth wealth index (86.2%; (P < 0.001) had significantly higher dietary diversity (P < 0.001) but no differences were found according to gender nor in urban and rural areas. Adolescents aged 15-19 years (84.7%) and those living in the fourth wealth index (86.2%) had significantly higher dietary diversity (P < 0.001). The 15-19 years age group was likely to meet the MDD (OR=1.54; P=0.009) but living in households with the lowest wealth index was negatively associated with MDD (OR=0.40; P=0.000).

Conclusions: Dietary diversity is adequate in mostly of Senegalese adolescents but breakfast eating before morning class and egg and milk consumption are low. Therefore, nutritional interventions should be given to the 15-19 years age group and adolescents from low economic status and enhancing promoting nutritious diet.

Funding Sources: Conseil National de Développement de la Nutrition and Nutrition International