Determinants of Adolescent Nutrition Status and Practices in Burkina Faso Using a Pooled Secondary Analysis

OBJECTIVES: An increasing trend in consumption of fast food and high amounts of added sugars among adolescents has left most lower- and middle-income countries facing a double burden of malnutrition. Since behaviors around food and physical activity are established during adolescence, the aim of the study was to document and disseminate the nutrition practices and status among adolescents in Burkina Faso who represent 23.1% of the nation's population. METHODS: The study used pooled data, of 2,432 non-pregnant adolescent girls, from the Performance Monitoring and Accountability (PMA 2020) nutrition surveys conducted in Burkina Faso in 2017 and 2018. We looked at three nutritional outcomes: dietary diversity, consumption of added sugars on the previous day, and the mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC) < 16cm (a proxy indicator for severe malnutrition among adolescents). Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were conducted. RESULTS: Minimum dietary diversity of 24.9%; consumption of added sugars of 36.7%; and prevalence of MUAC < 16 cm of 15.7% were observed among adolescents. Dietary diversity amongst adolescents was highest in the Centre region (43.5%) and lowest in the regional cluster of Sahel/Centre Nord/Nord (10.8%) and region remained an important predictor in multivariate analysis too. Added sugar consumption was 65% more likely for adolescents from the wealthiest households and almost three times higher for adolescents who had achieved minimum dietary diversity. MUAC < 16cm was lower among the 15–19 age group and 1.7 times more likely among adolescents who consumed an unhealthy food or drink the previous day, but half as likely among adolescents with dietary diversity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed a strong association between high dietary diversity and unhealthy food intake namely added sugar consumption. This is an important consideration for policy makers as they design adolescent nutrition programs to reduce malnutrition. Given that nutrition behaviors and habits are developed by early adolescence, designing nutrition interventions for school-age children should be promoted as a public health strategy. Tailored strategies with regional targeting, particularly for urban areas, are recommended. FUNDING SOURCES: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through Alive & Thrive, managed by FHI Solutions.