Knowledge and Perception of In-School Adolescents on the Role of Adequate Nutrition in the Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases in Ogun State, Nigeria

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have become a major public health challenge, especially among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. Consuming unhealthy food is an important and modifiable behavioral risk factor for the development of NCDs later in life. To address the global NCD pandemic, which is responsible for 74% of deaths globally and 29% of deaths in Nigeria, nutrition literacy and healthy eating habits, particularly among adolescents and younger age groups must be encouraged. This cross sectional study assessed the knowledge and perception of in-school adolescents (N=480) aged 10-19 years in Ogun State, Nigeria regarding the role of adequate diet in the prevention and management of NCDs. Using a 23-item assessment scale, 302(63%) respondents demonstrated good knowledge of NCDs (scores ≥70%), 129(27.4%) showed fair knowledge (scores 50-70%), and 46(9.6%) showed poor knowledge (scores <50%). Using a 7-item scale to assess the knowledge of diet's role in NCD prevention, 274(57%) demonstrated good knowledge (scores ≥70%), 53(11%) showed fair knowledge (scores 50-70%), and 154(32%) showed poor knowledge (scores <50%). Regarding perceptions, 36% of respondents had a positive perception of the importance of diet in NCD prevention and management, while 64% had a negative perception. Correlation analyses revealed weak but significant positive associations between respondents' age (r=0.045, p=0.004), gender (r=0.016, p=0.029), and residential location (r=0.025, p=0.003) with more positive perceptions. Anthropometric measurements showed that 60.8% of respondents had normal weight, 23.3% were underweight, and 15.9% were overweight and obese. Despite a good overall understanding of NCDs and their dietary links, misconceptions persisted: 43.1% believed NCDs had supernatural causes, 72.1% viewed traditional cultural foods as inherently healthy, and 65% found consuming a balanced diet inconvenient and expensive. These findings underscore the importance of culturally tailored nutrition education programs to correct misconceptions and encourage healthier dietary practices among Nigerian adolescents.