Patterns of Food Consumption and Nutrient Intakes of Senior High School Students in Accra, Ghana

Christina A. Nti, Augustina Br

Abstract

The nutritional needs of adolescents are unique and demand special attention. Changes in lifestyle and food habits of adolescents affect both nutrient intake and needs. The objective of this study was to investigate. In a cross-sectional survey, patterns of food consumption and nutrient intake of 313 Senior High School students aged 14-18years were studied using a combination of methods. The results revealed that major foods consumed daily were fish (90.4%), rice (74.8%), fruits (63.3%), roots/tubers (47.3%) and plantain (45.4%). Most of the students did not meet their energy and nutrients requirements except for iron, niacin and vitamin C. Calcium intake was particularly low with intakes for males and females being 264 mg and 243mg respectively. It is recommended that nutrition education programs should target adolescents in Senior High Schools in order to increase their knowledge on food nutrients and its importance to the body. This is of much importance as habitual inadequate intake of calories and nutrients might adversely affect their growth and development.