Stunting and weight statuses of adolescents differ between public and private schools in urban Gambia

Objectives: This study assessed the disparity in nutritional status of adolescents between public and private schools in urban Gambia. Methods: This is a school-based cross-sectional study in six private and six public upper basic schools in urban Gambia. This study recruited 491 students from public and 469 students from private schools (13–15 years of age). Results: The prevalence of stunting (WHO height-for-age Z < −2SD) was 13.4 % for public school students and 4.5 % for private schools. After adjustment for children’s sex, age, and family socioeconomic status, the differences in prevalence of stunting and underweight were significant between public and private schools. Private school students are more likely to be overweight/obese (WHO BMI-for-age Z > +1SD) (OR = 2.85, 95 % CI 1.55–5.22), but less likely to be thin (BMI-for-age Z < −2SD) (OR = 0.61 [0.39–0.96]), compared to public school students. Children from lower income families had lower odds for overweight/obese than normal weight, compared to those from higher income families (OR = 0.34 [0.15–0.76]). Conclusions: Public and private schools in urban regions of the Gambia may face different nutritional challenges due to differences in school environment and resources.