Meal Regularity among School-going Adolescents in Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire: Role of Living Conditions and Association with Nutritional Status
Koffi DIALLO *
Laboratory of Human Movement Sciences, Development and Well-Being, National Institute of Youth and Sports (INJS), BPV 54 Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire and Laboratory of Industrial Processes, Synthesis and New Energies (LAPISEN), Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Félix Houphouët-Boigny National Polytechnic Institute (INP-HB), BP 1093 Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire.
Koffi Julien GOLLY
Laboratory of Industrial Processes, Synthesis and New Energies (LAPISEN), Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Félix Houphouët-Boigny National Polytechnic Institute (INP-HB), BP 1093 Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire.
Tiatou SOUHO
Laboratory of Applied Agronomic and Biological Sciences, University of Kara, BP 43 Lama, Kara, Togo.
N'guessan Elysée KOFFI
Laboratory of Human Movement Sciences, Development and Well-Being, National Institute of Youth and Sports (INJS), BPV 54 Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire.
N'guessan KOUAME
Laboratory of Human Movement Sciences, Development and Well-Being, National Institute of Youth and Sports (INJS), BPV 54 Abidjan 01, Côte d'Ivoire.
Aimé Yao Kollet ZAHE
Laboratory of Nutrition, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, B.P. V 34 Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
Assa Rebecca Épouse YAO
Laboratory of Nutrition, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, B.P. V 34 Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
Doudjo SORO
Laboratory of Industrial Processes, Synthesis and New Energies (LAPISEN), Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Félix Houphouët-Boigny National Polytechnic Institute (INP-HB), BP 1093 Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire.
Nogbou Emmanuel ASSIDJO
Laboratory of Industrial Processes, Synthesis and New Energies (LAPISEN), Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, Félix Houphouët-Boigny National Polytechnic Institute (INP-HB), BP 1093 Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Meal regularity during adolescence may be influenced by living conditions, but evidence from secondary schools in Bouaké remains limited.
Aim: To analyse the meal habits of secondary school students in Bouaké (Côte d'Ivoire) in relation to their living conditions and nutritional status.
Study Design: Cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study.
Place and Duration of Study: Lycée Moderne Belleville, Bouaké (Côte d'Ivoire), during the 2023-2024 school year.
Methodology: A total of 314 students aged 11-22 years (172 boys and 142 girls) completed a structured questionnaire covering the intake, frequency, place, timing and composition of their three daily meals. Weight and height were measured. Body mass index-for-age and height-for-age Z-scores were calculated using the 2007 World Health Organization growth references. Determinants were identified by multivariable logistic regression.
Results: Only 46.8% of students ate breakfast every day and 43.6% ate three meals daily. Compared with students reporting good living conditions, those with average or poor living conditions were more likely to skip breakfast (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.80; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.34-9.83; P < .001). Lack of money was the main reason among the latter (56.0%), whereas lack of time predominated among students with good living conditions (52.2%). Thinness was more frequent among students eating three meals daily (13.1% vs 4.0%; aOR = 3.65; 95% CI: 1.42-9.38; P = .007). Stunting was less frequent among those eating at least one meal away from home (aOR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.33-0.97; P = .04).
Conclusion: Irregular meal patterns follow a marked social gradient. School breakfast programmes targeting disadvantaged students are warranted.
Keywords: Eating habits, meal skipping, breakfast, socioeconomic status, thinness, overnutrition, adolescents