Table 3. Studies focusing on dietary diversity score (DDS).

Author (y)	Objective (s)	Study design	Settings	Sample	Age	Sex	Exposure	Outcomes	Main finding including description for each article
Herrador Z, 2015 [81]	To identify associated factors for low dietary diversity and lack of consumption of animal source food (ASF)	A cross-sectional survey with an additional follow up observation study	Urban/rural	886 (320 aged 10–18)	10–18	M/F	-	DDS	Low DDS; rural 85.3%, urban 58.5%. Consumption of animal source food 17.5%.
Mulugeta A, 2015 [83]	To examine means of reaching adolescent girls for iron supplementation	Cross-sectional study	Urban/rural	828	15–19	F	-	DDS	Prevalence of low, medium and high DDS was 54%, 42.9% and 3.1%, respectively. Mean DDS: 3.5 Schools (45%), health centers (27%) and health posts (26%) were the preferred public facilities for provision of iron supplements to school adolescents. Schools (11%), health centers (47%) and health posts (41%) were the preferred public facilities for provision of iron supplements to out of school adolescent
Tamiru D, 2016 [28]	To assess the effectiveness of school-based health and nutrition Intervention, supported with backyard gardening, on dietary diversity	Quasi experimental study	Urban/rural	1000	10–19	M/F	School-based health and nutrition intervention supported with backyard gardening	DDS	Prevalence of adequate DDS in the intervention group across time was 34.8% at baseline, 65.6% at midline and 74.7% at end line. Prevalence of adequate DDS in the control group across time was (32.1%) at baseline, (49.4%) at midline and (48.8%) end line. Effect of the intervention between intervention and control group: there was statistically significant difference at mid-point (F = 5.64, p = 0.042) and end (F = 5.85, p b 0.001).
Melaku Y 2017 [85]	To assess optimal dietary practices and nutritional knowledge	Cross sectional study	Urban/rural	455	14–19	F	Age, residency, maternal education, father occupation, family size	DDS	Mean (±SD) DDS was 4.3 ± 1.4. Low (<5) DDS 61.3% (Urban 37.7%, rural 50.0%) Low DDS predictors: attending government school (AOR = 5.2; 95% CI: 2.9,9.4), mothers illiterate (AOR = 7.7; 95%CI:3.4, 17.2), PRIMARY level education (AOR = 5.4; 95%CI: 2.6, 11.3), lower family economic status (AOR = 1.9; 95%CI: 1.0, 3.4)
Gali N, 2017 [44]	To assess emerging nutritional problems and their association with dietary intake among school adolescents	Cross-sectional study	Urban	546	Mean age 15.4 (SD 1.9)	M/F	-	DDS	Mean DDS was 6.97±1.15. Cereal based diets (99.6%) and vegetables (73.9%) were the two most common foods types consumed by adolescents.
Birru SM, 2018 [84]	To assess the dietary diversity of school adolescent girls in the context of urban Northwest Ethiopia	Cross-sectional study	Urban	768	10–19	F	School type, family occupation	DDS	Adequate DDS 75.4% (95%CI (72.3, 78.6). Adequate DDS associated with attending private school (AOR = 3.2; 95%CI: 1.9,5.3), being from merchant family (AOR = 2.4; 95%CI: 1.1,5.5)
Seyoum Y, 2019 [72]	To assess the prevalence of adequate dietary diversity among adolescents	Cross-sectional study	Rural	257	15–19	F	-	DDS	Only 4.3% of the adolescent girls had adequate dietary diversity (WDDS ≥5)
Tariku A, 2019 [82]	To assess the prevalence and associated factors of dietary diversity in adolescent girls	Cross-sectional study	Urban/rural	1550	10–19	F	food insecurity	DDS	Adequate dietary diversity was 14.5 (95% CI 12.9, 16.2), Households food security 74.9% Food secure adolescent are more likely to have adequate DDS (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.03, 2.1)
Regasa RT 2019 [80]	To determine the dietary diversity of adolescents	Cross sectional study	Urban/rural	448	10–19	F	-	DDS	Mean DDS 3.3 + 1.2 Low DDS 56%, moderate DDS 41% and high DDS 3%