Background: The coexistence of undernutrition, overweight, and obesity within the same households and populations is recognized as the Double Burden of Malnutrition (DBM). Adolescents in school are the most vulnerable to DBM. However, the lived experiences and perceptions of school adolescents regarding the prevention of DBM are not well studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences and perceptions of school adolescents about the prevention, causes, and consequences of DBM in Debre Berhan City, Ethiopia.

Methods: A qualitative research method using phenomenology design was conducted among 20 purposively selected participants from each school in the study area from June 3 to July 10, 2022. The engagement and saturation of ideas guided the further sampling process. Data were collected through in-depth and key informant interviews using an unstructured interview guide. To produce meaningful themes, subthemes, and codes the latest version of Open code 4.03 was used. The results were presented in narratives and using well-said verbatims of respondents as illustrations.

Results: The study explored the perception of adolescents on the literacy and effect of good nutrition and perception of adolescents on causes, consequences, and prevention of DBM. The main causes of DBM identified in this study were poor dietary and drinking habits, poor knowledge and attitude about nutrition, low financial income, unemployment, food insecurity, poor feeding culture, physical inactivity, poor food management, educational and school-related issues, national-related issues, frequent use of ultra-processed and market foods, and frequent out-of-home eating practice.

Conclusion: The findings showed that despite school adolescents’ variations in knowledge, lived experience, attitude, and perceptions, most of them have a poor understanding of the causes, consequences, and prevention mechanisms of the double burden of malnutrition. The results suggest the need for instituting double-duty interventions that have a double impact on the prevention of DBM.

Keywords: Lived Experiences, Awareness, Perception, School Adolescents, Double Burden of Malnutrition, Ethiopia