ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS INTAKE AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF ADOLESCENT IN BOARDING SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN BAUCHI METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT This study assessed the nutritional status, dietary intake, and academic performance of adolescents in boarding secondary schools within Bauchi Metropolis. A cross-sectional research design was adopted, involving 210 randomly selected adolescents aged 10–19 years. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and BMI) to evaluate nutritional status. The data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20, employing descriptive statistics such as frequencies, means, and standard deviations. Findings revealed that the majority of respondents (61.7%) had normal BMI, while 18.2% were underweight and 20.1% were either overweight or obese, indicating a double burden of malnutrition. Dietary analysis showed that although 71.8% of students ate three meals daily, a significant proportion (33.5%) frequently skipped breakfast. Only 52.6% consumed fruits and vegetables regularly, while 42.6% preferred snacks to proper meals. Poor dietary diversity and irregular meal patterns were significantly associated with undernutrition and overnutrition, both of which negatively influenced academic concentration and performance. The study concluded that adolescents in boarding secondary schools in Bauchi Metropolis face moderate nutritional challenges, largely due to inadequate dietary diversity and poor meal habits. It recommends that schools enrich students’ meals with fruits, vegetables, and proteins, promote nutrition education, regulate junk food sales, and conduct regular nutritional assessments. Strengthening school-based feeding programs and parental support is essential to improving adolescent health and academic outcomes.