Teenage girls in Nigeria often don’t get enough food or the right nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong. Scientists are studying 70 girls ages 10-19 in rural Nigeria to figure out exactly how much food and energy these teens need each day. The researchers will use special tools to track what the girls eat, how active they are, and measure their bodies. This information will help create better nutrition plans just for teenage girls in Nigeria and other countries with similar challenges. Understanding these needs could help millions of young girls grow up healthier.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How much food and energy do teenage girls in rural Nigeria actually need to stay healthy and grow properly?
  • Who participated: 70 teenage girls between ages 10 and 19 living in rural areas of Abia state in Nigeria
  • Key finding: This is a study plan (not yet completed results), but it will measure exactly how much energy each girl needs by tracking their food, activity level, and body composition using advanced scientific methods
  • What it means for you: If you’re a teenage girl, parent, teacher, or work in nutrition, this research will eventually help create better meal plans and nutrition programs designed specifically for teenage girls in Nigeria and similar countries

The Research Details

Scientists are planning a detailed study to measure how much energy teenage girls need. They’ll use several different methods to get accurate information. First, girls will report everything they eat using a smartphone app that makes it easy to record meals. Second, the researchers will use special watches that track how much the girls move around and exercise each day. Third, they’ll measure the girls’ bodies to see their muscle and fat composition. Finally, they’ll use a special method called ‘doubly labeled water’ where girls drink water with harmless tracers that help scientists measure exactly how much energy their bodies use.

This combination of methods is like using multiple cameras to film the same event from different angles—it gives a much clearer picture than any single method alone. The study is carefully designed to be respectful of the girls’ privacy and safety while collecting the most accurate information possible.

Using multiple measurement methods is important because each one tells a different part of the story. Food tracking shows what girls eat, activity monitoring shows how much they move, and the special water test shows how much energy their bodies actually burn. Together, these methods give scientists the real answer about teenage girls’ energy needs—not just guesses based on older research that might not apply to Nigerian girls.

This is a well-designed study that uses gold-standard scientific methods. The doubly labeled water technique is considered the most accurate way to measure energy use in the human body. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, which means it follows strict scientific standards. The research team is using modern technology (smartphone apps and accelerometers) combined with traditional scientific methods. However, this is a study plan document, not final results, so we’re seeing how carefully they designed the research rather than what they found.

What the Results Show

This document describes the study plan rather than actual results, since the research is just beginning. However, the study will eventually provide the first detailed measurements of how much energy teenage girls in rural Nigeria need each day. This is important because current nutrition guidelines are often based on research from wealthy countries and may not fit girls in Nigeria who have different diets, activity levels, and living conditions.

When the study is complete, it will show whether teenage girls in Nigeria need more or less energy than current guidelines suggest. It will also show how energy needs differ based on age (younger teens versus older teens), body size, and how active each girl is. This information will be the foundation for creating nutrition programs that actually work for Nigerian girls.

The study will also measure body composition (how much muscle versus fat each girl has), which is important for understanding healthy growth during the teenage years. The researchers will look at whether girls are getting enough nutrients and identify any signs of malnutrition or poor nutrition. They’ll also gather information about what girls actually eat, which will show whether food insecurity (not having enough food) is a problem in these communities.

Most current nutrition guidelines for teenagers come from studies done in wealthy countries with different food systems and activity levels. This study is important because it will provide data specifically from Nigeria and similar low- and middle-income countries. Previous research has shown that teenage girls in these regions often face hunger and nutrient deficiencies, but we don’t have precise measurements of their actual energy needs. This study fills that important gap.

This is a study plan, not completed research, so we don’t yet know the actual results. The study includes 70 girls, which is a relatively small number, so findings may not apply to all teenage girls in Nigeria—only those in similar rural areas. The study focuses on one state (Abia) in Nigeria, so results might be different in other regions with different climates, foods, or living conditions. Additionally, the special doubly labeled water method is expensive, which is why the sample size is smaller than some other studies.

The Bottom Line

This research is still in progress, so there are no direct recommendations yet. However, when completed, it should lead to better nutrition guidelines for teenage girls in Nigeria. In the meantime, teenage girls should aim to eat a variety of foods including grains, proteins, fruits, and vegetables, and get regular physical activity. If you work in nutrition, education, or public health in Nigeria or similar countries, watch for this study’s results—they will likely change how nutrition programs are designed.

Teenage girls and their families in Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries should care about this research. Teachers, school administrators, and health workers who plan nutrition programs should definitely follow this study. Parents and guardians of teenage girls will benefit from the eventual guidelines. Government officials making nutrition policy should use these findings. However, if you live in a wealthy country with well-established nutrition programs, this study’s results may not directly apply to you, though the methods used are scientifically sound.

This is a study plan being conducted now, so results won’t be available immediately. Typically, studies like this take 1-2 years to complete data collection and another year or more to analyze results and publish findings. So we might expect to see results published in 2026 or 2027. Once published, it may take additional time for nutrition guidelines to be updated based on the findings.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily food intake using a food diary or app (similar to the INDDEX24 app used in this study) for one week each month. Record meals, snacks, and drinks to see if you’re eating enough variety and calories for your activity level.
  • Use the app to set a goal of eating at least three food groups per day (such as grains, protein, and vegetables). Log your meals each day and review weekly to identify patterns in your eating habits and areas for improvement.
  • Every month, review your food logs to see if you’re consistently eating enough and getting variety. Also track your energy levels and how you feel—if you’re tired or weak, you might need to eat more or eat different foods. Share your logs with a parent, school nurse, or health worker who can give you feedback.

This article describes a research study plan, not completed results. The findings from this study, when available, will provide important information about teenage girls’ nutrition needs in Nigeria, but individual nutritional needs vary based on age, activity level, growth rate, and health status. Teenage girls should consult with a parent, school nurse, or healthcare provider about their personal nutrition needs rather than relying solely on population-level guidelines. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical or nutritional advice. If you have concerns about a teenager’s growth, development, or nutrition, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare provider.