Influence of Rising Food Prices on Dietary Pattern of Late Adolescents and Young Adults in Southwest Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70851/jfines.2026.3(2).183.190Keywords:
adolescent, dietary pattern, food pricesAbstract
Rising food prices in Nigeria pose a major challenge to adequate nutrition among late adolescents and young adults, increasing the risk of poor dietary intake and malnutrition. This study assessed the influence of rising food prices on dietary patterns among late adolescents and young adults in Southwest Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 400 participants selected through multistage sampling. Data were collected using a pretested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, perceived family economic status, perceptions of food price increases, and food frequency patterns. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied at p < 0.05. The mean age of respondents was 17.5 ± 1.73 years, and 58.2% were female. The mean monthly allowance was ₦59,637 ± ₦33,448. A high proportion of respondents were underweight (41%), while fewer were overweight or obese. Most participants (87.3%) perceived their family economic situation as difficult, and 81.6% reported noticeable increases in the prices of basic food items. Food frequency findings revealed reduced frequent consumption of nutrient-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables, milk and dairy products, and meat and fish. Rising food prices were significantly associated with lower frequent consumption of core food groups (p = 0.0026). A significant association was also observed with increased intake of pastries and confectioneries (p = 0.0289), while no significant association was found with sugar-sweetened beverage intake (p = 0.101). In conclusion, rising food prices negatively influence dietary patterns, thereby increasing the risk of malnutrition. Targeted nutrition-sensitive interventions and economic policies are recommended
References
Abubakar, H. A., Shahril, M. R., & Mat, S. (2024b). Nutritional status and dietary intake among Nigerian adolescent: a systematic review. BMC Public Health, 24(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19219-w
Adeomi, A. A. (2021). The double burden of under-and over-nutrition among school-aged children and adolescents in two nigerian states. AAS Open Res. Jul 21:4:38.doi:10.12688/ /aasopenres.13257.1. PMID: 34805744; PMCID: PMC8546731. aasopenres.13257.1.
Akerele, D., Fadare, O., Ogunniyi, A., Adeyemi, O., & Rufai, M. (2024). Effects of food price changes on child undernutrition among agricultural households in Nigeria. World Development Sustainability, 4, 100158. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.WDS.2024.100158
Amadi, G. A., & China, M. A. H. (2024). Eating Habits and Nutritional Status of Adolescents and Young Adults in Tertiary Institutions in Port Harcourt Metropolis. IPS Journal of Public Health, 4(1), 79–87. https://doi.org/10.54117/ijph.v4i1.23
Ameye, H., Bachewe, F. N., & Minten, B. (2021). The rising price of nutritious foods: The case of Ethiopia. Global Food Security, 31, 100582. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.GFS.2021.100582
Ekubagewargies, D. T., Lee, P., & Ahmed, F. (2026). Dietary diversity, nutrition knowledge and attitude among adolescents in Addis Ababa: a cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Nutrition, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2026.1696811
Fajobi, D. T., Olusegun, J., Mufutau, A., Raufu, O., Fajobi, M. O., & Paramasivam, P. (2024). Effects of food price on nutrition outcomes among women in Nigeria. (April 2023), 94–104. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.3737
Gabriel, T. S., Kasim, M., Oluma, F. A., Muka, T., & Llanaj, E. (2024). Adolescent nutrition in Nigeria: A systematic review. In Journal of Nutritional Science (Vol. 13). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/jns.2024.34
Hallit, S., Achhab, R., Kfoury, K., & Sacre, Y. (2026). Coping Strategies Moderate the Association Between Food Insecurity and Food Consumption Among Lebanese Adults. Public Health Challenges, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.70224
Mekonnen, D. A., Adeyemi, O., Gilbert, R., Akerele, D., Achterbosch, T., & Herforth, A. (2023). Affordability of healthy diets is associated with increased food systems performance in Nigeria: state-level analysis. Agricultural and Food Economics, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40100-023-00263-w
Morales, F., Montserrat-de la Paz, S., Leon, M. J., & Rivero-Pino, F. (2024). Effects of Malnutrition on the Immune System and Infection and the Role of Nutritional Strategies Regarding Improvements in Children’s Health Status: A Literature Review. In Nutrients (Vol. 16, Number 1). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16010001
Mukanu, M. M., Delobelle, P., Thow, A. M., & Mchiza, Z. J. R. (2022). Determinants of dietary patterns in school going adolescents in Urban Zambia. Frontiers in Nutrition, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.956109
National Bureau of Statistics Nigeria. (2024). Consumer price index and inflation report: November 2024. National Bureau of Statistics. https://nigerianstat.gov.ng/elibrary/read/124168
Ogundele, O. O., & Adoga, M. O. (2024). Quality Evaluation of Sorghum Ogi Fortified with Soybean Flour. Asian Journal of Food Research and Nutrition, 3(3), 554–573.
Olatona, F. A., Ogide, P. I., Abikoye, E. T., Ilesanmi, O. T., & Nnoaham, K. E. (2023). Dietary diversity and nutritional status of adolescents in Lagos, Nigeria. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 12(8), 1547–1554. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1783_22
Olumakaiye, M. F., Iheme, G. O., & Alagbo, P. K. (2026). Determinants of dietary adequacy and diet quality of in-school adolescent girls in Nigeria: implications for non-communicable diseases. BMC Nutrition, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-026-01279-3
Oluwasanu, A. O., Akinyemi, J. O., Oluwasanu, M. M., Oseghe, O. B., Oladoyinbo, O. L., Bello, J., Ajuwon, A. J., Jegede, A. S., Danaei, G., & Akingbola, O. (2023). Temporal trends in overweight and obesity and chronic disease risks among adolescents and young adults: A ten-year review at a tertiary institution in Nigeria. PLoS ONE, 18(4 April). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0283210
Park, S., Shin, Y., Lee, S., & Park, H. (2023). The frequency of convenience food consumption and attitude of sodium and sugar reduction among middle and high school students in Seoul: a descriptive study. Korean Journal of Community Nutrition, 28(4), 269–281. https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2023.28.4.269
Solaja, S. O., Bamiro, O. M., Ayeni, M. D., & Mohammed, G. (2025). Fruit and vegetable intake among Nigerian University students: patterns, preferences, and influencing factors. Open Agriculture, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1515/opag-2025-0468
Downloads
Published
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Ibukunoluwa Tubi-Nwangwu, Mary Olamide Oladiran, Jumoke Georgina Ilo (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
