Researchers in Senegal studied over 1,400 teenagers to understand their nutrition and health. They found that about 1 in 5 teens were too thin, while some were overweight or obese. The study discovered that boys and younger teens were more likely to be underweight, while girls and teens living in cities were more likely to be overweight. Skipping meals, especially breakfast and lunch, and eating lots of snacks were connected to weight problems. The findings show that Senegal faces a nutrition challenge where some teens don’t eat enough while others eat too much—and these problems need different solutions depending on where teens live and their gender.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether Senegalese teenagers aged 10-19 were eating enough food and maintaining healthy weights, and what factors affected their nutrition.
  • Who participated: 1,433 teenagers (boys and girls) aged 10-19 years randomly selected from households across Senegal, including both rural villages and cities. The study was conducted between July and November 2021.
  • Key finding: About 22% of teens were underweight (too thin), 6% were overweight, 2% were obese, and 5% had excess belly fat. Boys and younger teens (10-14 years) were more likely to be too thin, while girls and city teens were more likely to be overweight or obese.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a teenager in Senegal or similar regions, this research suggests paying attention to regular meals and balanced eating habits. The study suggests that skipping meals and excessive snacking may contribute to weight problems, though more research is needed to confirm cause-and-effect relationships.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers collected information from teenagers at one point in time (like taking a snapshot) rather than following them over months or years. The study was part of a larger national food survey conducted across Senegal in both rural and urban areas. Researchers randomly selected 1,433 teenagers from 1,800 households spread across 150 different neighborhoods to make sure the results represented all of Senegal.

Researchers measured teenagers’ height and weight to calculate their body mass index (BMI), which is a common way to check if someone is at a healthy weight. They also measured waist size compared to height to check for excess belly fat. Additionally, they asked teenagers and their families questions about what they ate, their health, and their living situations using questionnaires.

The data was adjusted statistically to make sure it accurately represented all Senegalese teenagers, not just the ones in the study. Researchers then used statistical tests to figure out which factors (like gender, age, location, and eating habits) were connected to weight problems.

This research approach is important because it gives a clear picture of nutrition problems across an entire country at a specific time. By studying teenagers from different areas (cities and villages) and different backgrounds, the researchers could see patterns that might be missed in smaller studies. Understanding these patterns helps governments and health organizations plan better nutrition programs for teenagers.

This study has several strengths: it included a large, randomly selected group of teenagers from across the entire country, making results more representative of all Senegalese teens. The study was published in BMJ Open, a respected medical journal. However, because this is a snapshot study (cross-sectional), researchers can identify connections between factors and weight problems but cannot prove that one thing directly causes another. For example, while the study found that teens taking supplements had higher obesity rates, this doesn’t necessarily mean the supplements caused the obesity—other factors might explain both. Additionally, the study relied on people’s memory of what they ate, which may not always be completely accurate.

What the Results Show

The study found that underweight (being too thin) is a significant problem among Senegalese teenagers, affecting about 1 in 5 teens. Boys were 1.74 times more likely to be underweight than girls, and younger teens (ages 10-14) were 1.44 times more likely to be underweight than older teens. Teenagers who had diarrhea were nearly 5 times more likely to be underweight, suggesting that illness affects nutrition. Skipping lunch daily doubled the risk of being underweight, and eating frequent snacks increased the risk by about 50%.

Overweight and obesity tell a different story. Girls were much more likely to be overweight (4.68 times more likely) and to have excess belly fat (5.28 times more likely) compared to boys. Teenagers living in cities were 59% more likely to be obese than those living in rural areas. Interestingly, teens taking dietary supplements had nearly 4 times higher odds of being obese, though researchers cannot say whether supplements caused this or if other factors were involved.

Breakfast skipping emerged as a strong risk factor for belly fat, with teens who skipped breakfast daily being 4.5 times more likely to have excess abdominal fat. More than 90% of teenagers reported eating three main meals per day, but over 60% also snacked, with more than half snacking at least once daily.

On a positive note, 72% of teenagers ate a variety of different food groups (considered good dietary diversity), with an average score of 5.23 different food types per day.

The study revealed important differences between boys and girls and between rural and urban areas. Rural areas showed higher rates of underweight teens, while urban areas showed higher rates of overweight and obesity. This suggests that rural teenagers may face food scarcity issues, while urban teenagers may have easier access to processed foods and less physical activity. The finding that more than 60% of teens snack regularly, often daily, suggests this is a common eating pattern that may need attention in nutrition education programs.

This study adds important new information about Senegalese teenagers specifically. While previous research has shown that many developing countries face a ‘double burden’ of malnutrition (some people eating too little while others eat too much), this study provides detailed evidence that Senegal experiences this exact problem among its teenage population. The high rate of underweight teens (22%) is consistent with nutrition challenges in West African countries, while the emerging overweight and obesity problems reflect global trends of increasing weight issues in developing nations.

This study has several important limitations to consider. Because it’s a snapshot study, researchers can show that certain factors are connected to weight problems but cannot prove that one directly causes another. For example, while skipping breakfast is connected to belly fat, we don’t know if skipping breakfast causes belly fat or if other factors explain both. The study relied on people remembering and reporting what they ate, which may not be completely accurate. Additionally, the study measured weight and height at one point in time, so we don’t know how these numbers change over time or whether the patterns stay the same. Finally, while the study included a large sample, it may not capture all the complex reasons why some teenagers are underweight or overweight.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, teenagers in Senegal and similar regions should aim to: (1) Eat regular meals, especially breakfast and lunch, rather than skipping them—this appears to reduce weight problems; (2) Be mindful of snacking frequency, as daily snacking was connected to weight issues; (3) Eat a variety of different foods from different food groups, which 72% of teens already do; (4) Get checked by a doctor if experiencing diarrhea or other illnesses, as these affect nutrition. For girls and urban teenagers, paying attention to portion sizes and physical activity may be particularly important. For boys and younger teens, ensuring adequate food intake is important. These recommendations have moderate confidence because the study shows connections but cannot prove direct cause-and-effect.

This research is most relevant to teenagers in Senegal and other West African countries with similar nutrition challenges. Parents, school administrators, and health workers in these regions should pay attention to these findings. The research is also important for government officials and organizations planning nutrition programs. However, teenagers in countries with different food availability and eating patterns may not experience the same issues. Healthcare providers should use these findings to screen teenagers for both underweight and overweight problems, as both are present in Senegal.

Changes in eating habits and weight typically take several weeks to months to become noticeable. If a teenager starts eating regular meals and reduces snacking, they might notice improved energy levels within 1-2 weeks, but measurable weight changes usually take 4-8 weeks. For teens who are underweight, consistent adequate nutrition may take 2-3 months to show significant improvement. It’s important to remember that healthy changes take time and consistency.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track meal frequency and timing: Log whether you ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day, and note any meals skipped. Also track snacking occasions (time and type of snack). Over 2-4 weeks, look for patterns in which meals you skip and when you snack most.
  • Set a specific goal to eat breakfast every day for one week, then expand to eating all three main meals consistently. If you snack daily, try reducing snacking to 3-4 times per week. Use the app to set reminders for meal times and to log what you eat at each meal, aiming for variety in food types.
  • Weekly check-ins: Review your meal completion rate and snacking patterns each week. Monthly tracking: If possible, track weight and waist measurements monthly (with parental help if needed) to see if eating pattern changes affect your body. Use the app to note energy levels, how you feel, and any health changes alongside your eating patterns to see connections between nutrition and how you feel.

This research describes nutrition patterns and associated factors among Senegalese teenagers but does not establish definitive cause-and-effect relationships. These findings may not apply to teenagers in other countries or regions with different food availability and eating patterns. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Teenagers concerned about their weight, nutrition, or health should consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian who can provide personalized guidance based on individual circumstances. Parents and caregivers should seek professional medical advice before making significant changes to a teenager’s diet or nutrition plan.