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IntroductionThe perception of mothers about causes of underweight and overweight among children or adolescents and associated cultural beliefs may influence nutritional status. However, data from qualitative studies on this subject and regarding age 6–19 are scarce in Nigeria.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore mothers’ perceptions and cultural beliefs about underweight and overweight children and adolescents in selected communities in a northern and a southern Nigerian state.DesignThis was a qualitative study using focus group discussions (FGD). Eight FGD sessions were held. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and the transcripts were coded and analysed using NVivo V.11, and direct quotations representing the themes generated from the perspectives were cited as appropriate.SettingThe study was carried out in eight randomly selected rural and urban communities in Gombe and Osun states of Nigeria.ParticipantsSeventy-six mothers of children and adolescents aged 6–19 years.ResultsThe mothers identified concepts, causes and community experience of underweight and overweight children and adolescents, however, some gaps and misconceptions were observed. These included perspectives that suggest a limited understanding of the concepts of mild and moderate malnutrition and stunting and citing of ‘witches and wizards’ as causes of malnutrition. The mothers observed that being underweight was more prevalent in rural communities of Osun and Gombe states, while overweight was more prevalent in urban communities in Osun state. The majority of the women reported no known food taboo or restrictions, and no cultural beliefs relating to the nutrition of children and adolescents.ConclusionGaps and misconceptions exist in the perceptions of mothers on underweight and overweight children and adolescents. Food taboos, food restrictions and other cultural beliefs were not reported by majority of the mothers. Educational programmes for mothers on child/adolescent nutrition should target identified gaps and misconceptions.

Background: Little evidence exists on the relationship between diet-related factors and child/adolescent malnutrition in Nigeria. This study aimed to assess the associations between household food insecurity (HFI), dietary diversity (DD), and dietary patterns (DP) with the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) among 6–19-year-olds in two Nigerian States. Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 1200 respondents (6–19 years in age) in the Gombe and Osun States of Nigeria. HFI was assessed using the HFI access scale. DD was assessed using a 24-h dietary recall. DP were determined by principal component analysis using a 30-day food frequency questionnaire. DP scores were categorized into quartiles (Q) for statistical analysis. Diet-related predictors of DBM were assessed using logistic regression. Results: HFI was experienced by 568 (47.3%) respondents. The median DD score was 7.0 (maximum of 14). Two DPs were identified, diversified DP (DDP) and traditional DP (TDP). TDP was significantly associated with both thinness (Q4:OR: 2.91; 95% CI: 1.52–5.55; Ptrend: 0.002) and overweight/obesity (Q4:OR: 2.50; 95% CI: 1.43–4.35; Ptrend: 0.007), while DDP was inversely related with thinness (Q4:OR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.21–0.61; Ptrend: 0.008) as compared to Q1. Conclusions: TDP increased the odds for DBM, while the DDP reduced the odds.

Adolescent Health in an International Context: The Challenge of Sexual and Reproductive Health in Sub-Saharan Africa Adesegun Fatusi, Robert W. Blum Today's young people are growing up in a world that is rapidly changing and vastly different from that of previous generations. The health challenges confronting them are also significantly different and vary greatly around the world. This article presents an overview of the health of young people in an international context and highlights the factors that have shaped the lives of young people in recent times. It draws attention to the patterns and variations in the major causes of mortality and morbidity. A special focus is given to sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV/AIDS and reproductive health challenges are the greatest.