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Meta-Analysis
. 2023 Apr 6;18(4):e0280784.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280784. eCollection 2023.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of adolescent nutrition in Ethiopia: Transforming adolescent lives through nutrition (TALENT) initiative

Mubarek Abera  1 , Abdulhalik Workicho  2 , Melkamu Berhane  1 , Desta Hiko  2 , Rahma Ali  2 , Beakal Zinab  2 , Abraham Haileamlak  1 , Caroline Fall  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

A systematic review and meta-analysis of adolescent nutrition in Ethiopia: Transforming adolescent lives through nutrition (TALENT) initiative

Mubarek Abera et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Ethiopia has undergone rapid economic growth over the last two decades that could influence the diets and nutrition of young people. This work systematically reviewed primary studies on adolescent nutrition from Ethiopia, to inform future interventions to guide policies and programs for this age group.

Method: A systematic search of electronic databases for published studies on the prevalence of and interventions for adolescent malnutrition in Ethiopia in the English language since the year 2000 was performed using a three-step search strategy. The results were checked for quality using the Joanna Bridge Institute (JBI) checklist, and synthesized and presented as a narrative description.

Results: Seventy six articles and two national surveys were reviewed. These documented nutritional status in terms of anthropometry, micronutrient status, dietary diversity, food-insecurity, and eating habits. In the meta-analysis the pooled prevalence of stunting, thinness and overweight/obesity was 22.4% (95% CI: 18.9, 25.9), 17.7% (95% CI: 14.6, 20.8) and 10.6% (7.9, 13.3), respectively. The prevalence of undernutrition ranged from 4% to 54% for stunting and from 5% to 29% for thinness. Overweight/obesity ranged from 1% to 17%. Prevalence of stunting and thinness were higher in boys and rural adolescents, whereas overweight/obesity was higher in girls and urban adolescents. The prevalence of anemia ranged from 9% to 33%. Approximately 40%-52% of adolescents have iodine deficiency and associated risk of goiter. Frequent micronutrient deficiencies are vitamin D (42%), zinc (38%), folate (15%), and vitamin A (6.3%).

Conclusions: The adolescent population in Ethiopia is facing multiple micronutrient deficiencies and a double-burden of malnutrition, although undernutrition is predominant. The magnitude of nutritional problems varies by gender and setting. Context-relevant interventions are required to effectively improve the nutrition and health of adolescents in Ethiopia.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Flow chart for search and selection process of articles on adolescent nutrition and health in Ethiopia.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Pooled prevalence of adolescent stunting in Ethiopia.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Pooled prevalence of adolescent thinness in Ethiopia.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Pooled prevalence of overnutrition (overweight/obesity) in Ethiopia.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Trends in the nutritional status of adolescent in Ethiopia over the last 10 years.
Fig 6
Fig 6. Trends in adolescent stunting by sex in Ethiopia over the last 7 years.
Fig 7
Fig 7. Trends in adolescent thinness by sex in Ethiopia over the last 6 years.
Fig 8
Fig 8. Trends in adolescent overnutrition by sex in Ethiopia over the last 12 years.
Fig 9
Fig 9. Trends in adolescent stunting by setting in Ethiopia over the last seven years.
Fig 10
Fig 10. Trends in adolescent thinness by setting in Ethiopia over the last 6 years.
Fig 11
Fig 11. Trends in adolescent overnutrition by setting in Ethiopia over the last 10 years.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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