Application of WHO 2007 growth reference in assessing the anthropometric status of Nigerian adolescents; A systematic review and meta analysis

The study was designed to assess the application of WHO 2007 growth reference by local studies published from 2009 to 2020 in data generation of Nigerian adolescents’ anthropometric status. Meta-analysis of literatures on anthropometric status of adolescents in Nigeria by articles published from 2009 to 2020 was conducted. A bibliographic survey was carried out in several databases –Google Scholar, PubMed and African Journals Online. Review of abstracts and full texts followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The methodology for anthropometric assessment of these eligible studies were compared to WHO 2007 growth reference. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25. A total of 24 articles which captured 12,482 adolescents met the inclusion criteria. Less than one fifth (16.7%) of the studies adopted the WHO 2007 growth references in their data generation while the adult recommendations for BMI application dominated the reviewed studies. A slow increase in the adoption of the WHO 2007 growth reference was observed. The low application of the recommended growth reference by local researchers is of concern. Hence, the need to ensure quick adoption of standard indicators/guidelines in local studies will not only promote the generation of pooled evidence to reveal cross-cutting gaps but also ensure that the public health situation is not under/over-estimated. •There are various nutrition assessment tools applied by research in adolescent assessment including the WHO 2007 growth reference.•Systematic review/meta-analysis of literatures using PRISMA protocols was adopted to identify the level of utilization of WHO 2007 growth reference.•Adult recommendations for body mass index (BMI) and other growth references were more utilized than the WHO 2007 growth reference.•Although application of WHO 2007 growth reference increase gradually over the years, the rate of increase was deemed slow/mild.•Inclusion of adolescents in demographic health survey will improve the visibility of their assessment methods.