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Research Article: Prevalence and correlates of stunting and thinness among adolescent students in Lideta subcity, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Date Published: 2023-05-31

Abstract:
Objectives To determine the prevalence of stunting and thinness and associated factors among adolescents attending public schools in Lideta subcity, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2021. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Public schools in Lideta subcity, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Eligibility Adolescents from grades 5–12 in public schools and students whose parents gave consent for participation. Data analysis Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between the independent variables and stunting and thinness. Using a 95% CI and adjusted OR (AOR), factors with a p value of less than 0.05 were determined to have a significant association. Outcome measures The prevalence of stunting and thinness, as well as the factors associated with stunting and thinness, were secondary outcomes. Results The overall prevalence of stunting and thinness was 7.2% (95% CI: 5.3% to 9.3%) and 9% (95% CI: 6.8% to 11.4%), respectively. Stunting was associated with a larger family size (AOR=3.76; 95% CI: 1.58 to 8.94), low dietary diversity (AOR=2.87; 95% CI: 1.44 to 5.74), food insecurity (AOR=2.81; 95% CI: 1.38 to 5.71) and a lower wealth index (AOR=3.34; 95% CI: 1.51 to 7.41). On the other hand, thinness was associated with maternal education in those who were unable to read and write (AOR=2.5; 95% CI: 1.97 to 8.11), inadequate dietary diversity (AOR=4.81; 95% CI: 2.55 to 9.07) and larger family size (AOR=2.46; 95% CI: 1.14 to 5.29). Conclusion Adolescent stunting and thinness were common in Addis Ababa’s public schools. Family size, dietary diversity and food security were the main factors associated with both thinness and stunting. Therefore, to solve the problem of adolescent stunting and thinness, the administration of Addis Ababa city should prioritise minimising food insecurity while boosting productivity to enhance adolescent nutritional diversity. Moreover, nutritional education should be strengthened by healthcare providers working at public schools as well as health extension workers.

Introduction:
According to the WHO, adolescence is defined as the period from 10 to 19 years during which an individual undergoes major physical growth, mental development and psychological changes. 1 2 There are nearly 1.3 billion adolescents worldwide, accounting for 16% of the global population. 3 Particularly in Ethiopia, children and adolescents make up around 48% of the overall population. 4 Adolescents gain up to 50% of their adult weight, more than 20% of their adult height and 50% of their adult skeletal mass as a…

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