Energy Needs and Nutritional Status of Adolescent Girls

Adolescents in low and middle-income countries encounter numerous nutritional challenges, including undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, poor dietary habits, and food insecurity. These issues significantly impact their growth, development, and long-term health. Despite their increased vulnerability, this demographic is often overlooked in nutritional program planning and implementation. This neglect is due to a lack of accurate data, inadequate delivery platforms for interventions, and underdeveloped policies and programs.

The Nutrition and Adolescence in Rural Nigeria (NARN'ia) study aims to address this gap through a comprehensive assessment of energy requirements in adolescent girls (N=50; ages 10 - 19 years) in Nigeria. NARN'ia will integrate dietary assessments using the 24-hour recall method (INDDEX24 app); physical activity levels using accelerometry; anthropometric evaluations of body composition, and the doubly labeled water method for assessing both body composition and total daily energy expenditure.

This study will provide evidence-based data essential for formulating appropriate nutritional guidelines for adolescent girls in Nigeria. Furthermore, this research initiative will establish a foundational framework for future studies on energy requirements in Nigeria and other low and middle-income countries.