Nutrient intake and dietary practice among adolescent girls in urban and rural areas of Kano State, Nigeria

Objective: This study aimed to assess the nutrient intake and dietary practices of adolescent girls in rural and urban areas of Kano State, Nigeria, and to identify potential disparities between these settings.Design: Cross-sectional study.Setting: Urban and rural schools in Kano State, Nigeria.Subject: Adolescent schoolgirls (n = 424) aged 15–19 years.Outcome measure: Dietary intake (using a three-day 24-hour recall), eating behaviour, and physical activity were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Nutrient intake was analysed and compared with Estimated Average Requirements (EAR). Independent t-tests and chi-square tests were performed to assess urban–rural differences.Results: Inadequate micronutrient intake was prevalent, with 100% of participants having inadequate calcium and vitamin D intake below the EAR. Significant level of inadequacy was also observed for vitamin B12 (90.8%), vitamin A (76.7%), zinc (76.2%), folate (65.1%), riboflavin (43.6%), and niacin (39.9%) among all the participants, with rural girls having significantly lower intakes (p < 0.05). Meal skipping, particularly lunch and breakfast, and low consumption of fruits and vegetables were common, especially in rural areas (p < 0.05). Food preparation practices such as cutting vegetables before washing and removing bran from grains and legumes were widespread. Food choices were influenced by taste and cost.Conclusion: This study highlights inadequate intake of micronutrients and suboptimal dietary practices among adolescent girls in Kano State, with pronounced disparities between urban and rural areas. There is a need for targeted interventions, including culturally appropriate nutrition education, to improve fruit and vegetable intake and discourage nutrient-depleting food preparation practices of both urban and rural adolescent girls to promote healthy dietary behaviours.