Teenage girls in The Gambia are not eating enough fruits, vegetables, and important nutrients like iron and calcium, according to a study of 208 girls published in 2026. Urban girls eat more processed foods and sugary drinks, while rural girls eat traditional meals with fish, but both groups rely heavily on white rice for calories and protein. Girls who aren’t growing properly have even lower calcium intake, putting their health at risk.
Researchers studied 208 teenage girls in The Gambia to understand what they eat and whether they’re getting enough nutrients. They found big differences between girls living in cities versus rural areas. Urban girls ate more processed foods and meat stews, while rural girls ate traditional porridges and fish. Both groups weren’t eating enough fruits, vegetables, and important nutrients like iron and calcium. White rice was the biggest source of calories and protein for everyone. The study shows that teenage girls in The Gambia face real nutritional challenges that need targeted solutions.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 208 adolescent girls in The Gambia found that both urban and rural participants consumed only 180 grams of fruits and vegetables daily, well below recommended intake levels.
According to research reviewed by Gram, white rice provided nearly 50% of total daily energy intake and almost 40% of daily protein among adolescent girls in The Gambia, limiting dietary diversity.
A 2026 study of 208 Gambian girls found that stunted girls (shorter than expected for their age) had significantly lower calcium intake at 325 milligrams per day compared to 367 milligrams among girls with normal growth.
Research from The Gambia showed urban adolescent girls consumed 222 micrograms of vitamin A daily versus 164 micrograms for rural girls, yet both groups remained deficient in this essential nutrient.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: What teenage girls in The Gambia eat every day and whether they’re getting enough vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients their bodies need to grow healthy
- Who participated: 208 girls aged 10-19 years old from both cities and rural villages in The Gambia. Researchers measured their height and weight to check their nutritional health
- Key finding: Both urban and rural girls weren’t eating enough fruits, vegetables, fiber, and iron. Urban girls ate more processed foods and sugary drinks, while rural girls had better access to fish but less vitamin C. Girls who were stunted (shorter than expected) had even lower calcium intake
- What it means for you: If you’re a teenage girl in West Africa, this research shows you might not be getting all the nutrients you need from your regular diet. Talk to a parent or health worker about adding more fruits, vegetables, and calcium-rich foods. This is especially important if you’re not growing as tall as expected
The Research Details
Researchers visited communities in The Gambia and asked 208 teenage girls detailed questions about everything they ate over two different days. They measured each girl’s height and weight to calculate whether she was at a healthy size for her age. The girls answered questions about their families and where they lived (city or village). To understand their diets better, trained researchers asked girls to remember all the food and drinks they had consumed, going through the day meal by meal to make sure nothing was forgotten.
This type of study is called a ‘snapshot’ study because it captures information at one moment in time rather than following people over months or years. The researchers compared what urban girls ate to what rural girls ate, and they also looked at whether girls who weren’t growing properly (stunted) ate differently than girls growing normally.
The study used a method called 24-hour dietary recall, which is like asking someone to describe their entire day of eating in detail. They did this twice for each girl to get a more accurate picture of what she typically eats.
Understanding what teenage girls actually eat is crucial because this is when their bodies need lots of nutrients to grow, develop, and stay healthy. The Gambia is a developing country where food choices are limited and malnutrition is a real problem. By comparing urban and rural areas, researchers can see how location affects what food is available and what girls actually eat. This information helps health officials and organizations plan better nutrition programs specifically designed for teenage girls
This study provides real, detailed information about actual food consumption in The Gambia, which didn’t exist before. The researchers used trained interviewers and measured girls’ bodies directly rather than relying on estimates. However, the study only captured a moment in time and relied on girls remembering what they ate, which can sometimes be inaccurate. The findings are specific to The Gambia but likely apply to similar communities in West Africa
What the Results Show
The research revealed striking differences between what urban and rural girls eat. Urban girls frequently consumed processed cereals, sandwiches, and meat-based stews, while rural girls primarily ate traditional porridges and fish-based stews. Despite these differences, both groups faced similar nutritional problems: their diets were high in calories but low in fruits and vegetables (averaging only 180 grams per day), fiber, and iron.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies were widespread in both settings. Urban girls had better intakes of vitamin A (222 micrograms versus 164), vitamin D (2 versus 1 microgram), and calcium (390 versus 289 milligrams) compared to rural girls, but both groups still fell short of what they need. Rural girls particularly lacked vitamin C, while girls who weren’t growing properly had even lower calcium intake (325 milligrams versus 367 milligrams in girls growing normally).
White rice dominated both diets, providing nearly half of all calories and almost 40% of daily protein. Sugar-sweetened beverages were extremely common in urban areas, while traditional sweetened drinks were important sources of vitamin C in rural areas—though this meant girls were getting vitamins alongside excessive sugar.
Both urban and rural diets contained too much fat and carbohydrates relative to other nutrients. The study shows that even though urban and rural girls eat different foods, they face similar nutritional challenges that put their health at risk.
The study identified several important patterns beyond the main findings. Free sugar consumption was significantly higher among urban girls, raising concerns about obesity and dental health. The reliance on white rice as the primary food source means girls miss out on nutrients found in whole grains, legumes, and other foods. Traditional sweetened drinks in rural areas provided vitamin C but at the cost of excessive sugar intake. Girls with stunting (being shorter than expected for their age) showed particularly concerning patterns, suggesting that poor nutrition may be both a cause and consequence of growth problems
According to Gram Research analysis, this is the first detailed study of its kind in The Gambia, providing new information about teenage girls’ actual food consumption. Similar studies in other West African countries have shown comparable patterns of high rice consumption and low fruit and vegetable intake. The findings align with global research showing that adolescent girls in developing countries face unique nutritional vulnerabilities. This study adds important local context that can guide interventions in The Gambia and similar regions
The study captured what girls ate on only two days, which may not represent their typical eating patterns throughout the year. Girls had to remember everything they ate, and memory can be unreliable, especially for snacks or drinks consumed outside the home. The study didn’t include information about food costs, availability, or cultural preferences that might explain why certain foods are eaten more often. The sample of 208 girls, while useful, may not represent all teenage girls in The Gambia. The study describes what girls eat but cannot prove that these eating patterns directly cause health problems, though the connection is likely
The Bottom Line
Teenage girls in The Gambia should aim to eat more fruits and vegetables daily (the study showed they currently eat far less than recommended). Adding iron-rich foods like beans, lentils, and leafy greens is important, especially for girls who are not growing properly. Reducing sugary drinks and choosing water instead can help prevent obesity and dental problems. Girls should try to eat whole grains instead of white rice when possible. Calcium-rich foods like milk, yogurt, or leafy greens are especially important for girls who are shorter than expected. These recommendations have strong evidence support from this and similar studies
Teenage girls aged 10-19 in The Gambia and similar West African communities should pay attention to these findings. Parents, teachers, and health workers should use this information to help girls make better food choices. Government officials and health organizations should develop programs to improve food availability and nutrition education. Girls who are not growing as tall as expected should be especially careful about getting enough calcium and other nutrients. This research is less relevant to girls in countries with very different food systems and better food availability
Improving nutrition takes time. Girls might notice better energy levels and improved concentration within a few weeks of eating more nutritious foods. Growth improvements and better health markers typically take several months to become visible. Long-term benefits like stronger bones and better overall health develop over years of consistent good nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
What do teenage girls in Gambia eat most often?
Urban girls eat processed cereals, sandwiches, and meat stews, while rural girls eat traditional porridges and fish stews. Both groups rely heavily on white rice, which provides nearly half their daily calories. Sugar-sweetened beverages are common in cities, while traditional sweetened drinks are important in rural areas.
Are teenage girls in Gambia getting enough nutrients?
No. A 2026 study of 208 girls found widespread deficiencies in fruits, vegetables, fiber, iron, calcium, and vitamins. Urban girls averaged only 180 grams of fruits and vegetables daily. Girls who weren’t growing properly had even lower calcium intake, averaging 325 milligrams per day.
What nutrients are teenage girls in Gambia missing most?
The biggest gaps are fruits and vegetables (averaging 180 grams daily), fiber, iron, and calcium. Rural girls particularly lack vitamin C, while both urban and rural girls have insufficient vitamin D. Stunted girls show especially low calcium intake.
How does diet differ between city and village girls in Gambia?
Urban girls eat more processed foods and sugary drinks with higher vitamin A, D, and calcium intake. Rural girls eat more traditional foods with fish but have lower vitamin C. Both groups eat too much white rice and not enough fruits and vegetables.
What should teenage girls in Gambia eat to improve their nutrition?
Add more fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, and leafy greens to reach 400 grams of produce daily. Choose whole grains over white rice, include calcium-rich foods like milk and yogurt, and replace sugary drinks with water. These changes address the specific deficiencies identified in the study.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily fruit and vegetable servings with a goal of reaching at least 400 grams per day (the study found girls averaged only 180 grams). Use the app to log each fruit or vegetable eaten and celebrate when you reach your daily goal
- Set a weekly challenge to try one new fruit or vegetable you haven’t eaten before. Use the app to plan meals that include more iron-rich foods (beans, lentils, meat) and calcium-rich foods (milk, yogurt, leafy greens). Replace one sugary drink per day with water and track this swap in the app
- Use the app to track your height and weight monthly to monitor your growth. Log your energy levels and concentration at school to see if better nutrition helps you feel better. Keep a weekly summary of how many days you met your fruit and vegetable goals. Share your progress with a parent or health worker every month
This research describes food consumption patterns and nutrient intake among adolescent girls in The Gambia and should not be used for individual medical diagnosis or treatment. If you are a teenage girl concerned about your growth, nutrition, or health, please consult with a healthcare provider or nutritionist who can assess your individual needs. The findings are specific to The Gambian context and may not apply to all populations. This article is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.