Energy and nutrient intakes in relation to sex and socio-economic status among school adolescents in urban Cameroon, Africa.
OBJECTIVE
To assess energy and nutrient intakes and physical activity of adolescents in urban Cameroon according to sex and socio-economic status (SES).


METHODS
Cross-sectional study with adolescents randomly selected from schools in low-, middle- and high-SES areas. Weight and height were measured and information about food intake and physical activity was obtained through repeated individual 24 h recalls. Under- and over-reporting of energy intake and inadequacy of nutrient intake were assessed.


METHODS
Yaoundé, Cameroon.


METHODS
Boys and girls aged 12-16 years (n 227).


RESULTS
Boys had a lower BMI and reported higher energy expenditures and physical activity levels (PAL) than girls. Under-reporting of energy intake was large among boys and girls regardless of PAL; boys under-reported more than girls. Among those with low PAL, over-reporting of energy intake was common. Over 50% of boys and girls had protein below the recommendations. The intake of fat varied; 26% of the adolescents were below and 25% were above the recommendations. Inadequate intakes of vitamin B₁, vitamin B₃ and Fe were more common among girls, while boys more often had inadequate intake of vitamin A. Adolescents with low SES were more likely to be below the recommendations for fat and vitamins B₂, B₃, B₆ and B₁₂ than those with high SES.


CONCLUSIONS
A high proportion of boys and girls reported inadequate intakes. However under- and over-reporting were also very common. Boys under-reported energy intake more than girls and inadequate nutrient intake was more frequently reported by adolescents with low SES than by those with high SES.
Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden. leonie.dapi.nzefa@epiph.umu.se
Léonie N
LN
Dapi
Agneta
A
Hörnell
Urban
U
Janlert
Hans
H
Stenlund
Christel
C
Larsson
D000293:Adolescent; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002163:Cameroon; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009753:Nutritive Value; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data