ENERGY INTAKES, ANTHROPOMETRY AND BODY-COMPOSITION OF NIGERIAN ADOLESCENT GIRLS - A CASE-STUDY OF AN INSTITUTIONALIZED SECONDARY-SCHOOL IN IBADAN

Twenty-two apparently healthy Nigerian adolescent girls aged 11-17 yea rs residing in a hostel, were studied over five consecutive days in or der to assess their energy intake (TI), energy cost of specific activi ties and body composition (BC). The mean characteristics of the group were: height 1.58 (SD 0.1, range 1.42-1.68) m, body weight 49.1 (SD 7. 9, range 34.0-61.0) kg and BMI 19.5 (SD 2.0, range 16.0-23.0) kg/m(2). The food intake of each subject was assessed by direct weighing and i ts energy value was determined by means of a ballistic bomb calorimete r. BMR values were calculated according to Food and Agriculture Organi zation/World Health Organization/United Nations University (FAO/WHO/UN U) (1985) equations, Percentage body fat (BF %) values were derived fr om three skinfold thickness measurements, using population-specific eq uations. The adolescents' mean daily EI was found to be 6510 (SD 855) kJ/d (138.3 (SD 27.8) kJ/kg body weight per d) which is lower than the FAO/WHO/UNU (1985) calculated energy requirement of 8800 kJ/d for ado lescent girls aged 12-14 years, The contributions of specific nutrient s and individual meals to the total EI were: carbohydrate, protein and fat, 59.2, 12.5 and 28.3% of energy respectively and breakfast, lunch and supper, 21.5, 41.0 and 37.4% respectively. However, the mean BMR was 5627 kJ/d, which is comparable with that given by FAO/WHO/UNU (198 5) for adolescent girls aged 13-14 years. The mean BF % was found to b e 21.7. The comparatively low EI of the participants in the present st udy may be indicative of energy deficiency in their meals. This assump tion is also reflected in their BC values. Nevertheless, further studi es of this kind on adolescents in Nigeria are needed to confirm these observations.