Nutritional status and functional capacity of physically challenged adolescents attending school of students with special needs in Ilaro, Nigeria

Background Physically challenged adolescents face compounding barriers that impair nutritional status, functional independence, and overall quality of life. Despite the growing recognition of these challenges, empirical evidence from special needs schools in Nigeria remains sparse. Objective This study assessed the nutritional status and functional capacity of physically challenged adolescents attending the School of Students with Special Needs in Ilaro, Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among all 111 physically challenged adolescent students in school at Yewa College. Socio-demographic and economic data were collected via structured interviews. Nutritional status was assessed through standardised anthropometric measurements and dietary assessment was conducted via a single multiple-pass 24-hour dietary recall. Functional capacity was evaluated using the Bristol Activities of Daily Living Scale (BADL) and the Lawton and Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL). Data were analysed with SPSS version 26.0 using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results The majority of respondents were male (56.8%), and over half (53.2%) had concurrent hearing and speech impairment. While 45.0% had a normal BMI-for-age, stunting prevalence was high at 68.0%. Energy and fat intakes were below the RDA across all age-sex groups, whereas protein, carbohydrate, vitamin A, iron, and zinc were adequate or exceeded recommended levels. Critical deficiencies were observed in vitamin C, calcium, folate, potassium, magnesium, and B-complex vitamins, with the most severe deficits in females and late adolescent males. Functional independence was high in BADL (72.1%) but markedly low in IADL (30.0%), with greatest dependence in food shopping (50.5%), cash handling (43.2%), and laundry (42.3%). Disability type was significantly associated with functional capacity in both BADL and IADL domains (p < 0.05). Conclusion Physically challenged adolescents in this study demonstrated a dual burden characterised by pervasive micronutrient deficiencies, high stunting prevalence, and substantial IADL dependency, with disability type as the primary determinant of functional capacity.