Abstract:
Objective: Adolescence represents a critical stage of life, characterized by rapid physical growth and development;
varying levels of physical, social and psychological maturity; and a transition from total socio-economic dependence
to relative independence. Focusing on adolescents’ nutrition, especially girls, provides a unique opportunity to break
the intergenerational cycles of malnutrition. But, there is little information about the dietary diversity of adolescent
girls in Dabat district. Therefore, the survey aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of dietary diversity
among adolescent girls.
Results: The overall prevalence of adequate dietary diversity among adolescent girls was 14.5 (95% CI 12.9, 16.2). The
prevalence of adequate dietary diversity among adolescent girls was very low and food insecurity is one of the predisposing
factors for low dietary diversity. Therefore, working to enhance household’s food security status is recommended
to boost dietary diversification of adolescent’s girls.
