ABSTRACT
This study assessed the food consumption pattern and anthropometric indices of market women in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia state. A cross sectional study design was used to study female traders in Ikwuano LGA. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 281 female traders used for this study. A structured questionnaire constructed into five (5) sections was used to collect information on socio-economic/demographic characteristics, food consumption pattern and frequency. Weight, height, waist circumference and hip circumference were obtained using standard methods. The statistical package for service solution (SPSS version 20) computer programme was used to analyze the data. The result of this study revealed that the frequency of consumption of cereal products, root and tuber by the respondents was high with the percentage (38.87%) and (39.1%) respectively. Majority (43.4%) of the respondents consumed meat and meat products twice a week. This study also revealed that 38.8% of the respondent had normal weight, 36.5% were overweight while 0.8% were underweight and obese class III respectively. Based on BMI classification, the prevalence of overweight and obesity were 36.5% and 24.0% respectively. In conclusion, market women should endeavour to minimize the purchase of food for lunch and also reduce the intake of fatty and fried snacks.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Table of
contents v
List of tables viii
Abstract ix
CHAPTER
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
of the study 1
1.2 Statement of
the problem 4
1.3 Objective of
the study 6
1.4 Significance
of the study 6
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE
REVIEW 7
2.1 Global and Regional Food
Consumption Pattern 7
2.2 Factors Affecting Food Consumption 8
2.2.1
Income 8
2.2.2 Socio- Economic Status (SES) 9
2.2.3 Urbanization 9
2.2.4 Trade liberalization 10
2.2.5
Transnational food corporation (franchises and manufacturers) 13
2.2.6 Retailing 13
2.2.7 Food industry marketing 14
2.2.8 Consumer attitudes and behavior 14
2.3 Health Impact of Poor Food Consumption
Trends 15
2.3.1 Women’s
health 16
2.4 The
role of the market woman in the Nigerian economy 20
2.4.1 Women in National Economy 21
2.4.2 Women in the Market 22
2.5
Anthropometric Indices 23
2.5.1 Weight 24
2.5.2 Height 24
2.5.3 Body Mass Index (BMI) 24
2.5.4 Waist
Circumference 25
2.5.5
Hip circumference 25
2.5.6 Waist-to-hip ratio 26
CHAPTER
3
MATERIALS
AND METHODS 27
3.1 Study
design 27
3.2 Area of study 27
3.3 Population of the study 28
3.4 Sampling And Sampling Techniques 28
3.4.1 Sample size 28
3.4.2 Sampling procedure 29
3.5 Data Collection 29
3.5.1 Questionnaire Administration 29
3.5.2 Anthropometric Measurements 29
3.5.2.1 Weight measurement 29
3.5.2.2 Height
measurement 30
3.5.2.3 Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculation 30
3.5.2.4 Waist measurement 30
3.5.2.5 Hip measurement 30
3.5.2.6 Waist-hip-ratio Calculation 30
3.6 Data analysis 31
3.7 Statistical analysis 31
CHAPTER 4
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 32
4.1
Background information of the respondents 32
4.2 Frequency of
consumption of cereals and cereal products by respondents 36
4.3 Frequency of
consumption of roots and tubers by respondents 39
4.4 Frequency
of consumption of legumes and its products by respondents 41
4.5 Frequency of consumption of meat and meat
products by respondents 43
4.6 Frequency of
consumption of milk and dairy products by respondents 45
4.7 Frequency of
consumption of vegetables by respondents 47
4.8 Frequency of
consumption of fruits by respondents
50
4.9 Frequency of
consumption of fats and oil by respondents
53
4.10 Frequency
of consumption of drinks and beverages by respondents 55
4.11
Respondents’ anthropometric indices
57
CHAPTER
FIVE
CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS 60
5.1 Conclusion 60
5.2 Recommendations 60
REFERENCES 61
APPENDIX:
Questionnaire
LIST
OF TABLES
Table 4.1
Background information of the respondents
34
Table 4.2
Frequency of consumption of cereals and cereal products by respondents 38
Table 4.3
Frequency of consumption of roots and tuber crops by respondents 40
Table 4.4
Frequency of consumption of legumes and its products by respondents 42
Table 4.5
Frequency of consumption of meat and meat products by respondents 44
Table 4.6
Frequency of consumption of milk and dairy products by respondents 46
Table 4.7
Frequency of consumption of vegetables by respondents 49
Table 4.8
Frequency of consumption of fruits by respondents
52
Table 4.9
Frequency of consumption of fats and oil by respondents 54
Table 4.10
Frequency of consumption of drinks and beverages by respondents 56
Table 4.11
Anthropometric indices of respondents 59
CHAPTER
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND
OF THE STUDY
1.1.1
Definition of food
The Food and Drug Act (R.S.C.,
1985, c. F-27) defined food to include any article manufactured, sold or
represented for use as food or drink for human beings, chewing gum and any
ingredient that may be mixed with food for any purpose whatever. Food consists
of chemical compounds; which heterotrophic living things consume in order to
carry out metabolic processes. They are also substances which when introduced
into the digestive system under normal circumstance contribute to growth,
repair and production of energy (Ezeama, 2007).
1.1.2
Definition of food consumption
Food consumption expressed in
kilocalories (Kcal) per capita per day is a key variable used for measuring and
evaluating the evolution of the global and regional food situation. Food
consumption refers to the amount of food available for human consumption as
estimated by the Food and Agricultural Organization’s Food Balance Sheets. However,
the actual food consumption may be lower than the quantity shown as food
availability depending on the magnitude of wastage and losses of food in the
household eg during storage in preparation and cooking, as plate-waste or
quantities fed to domestic animals and pets, thrown or given away (FAO, 2015).
1.1.3
Definition of food consumption pattern
Food consumption patterns could be
defined as the recognizable ways of eating foods. Food consumption pattern can
be defined as that aspect of a lifestyle (or livelihood) that relates to the
nature and amount of the different foods that the household considers adequate
for fulfilling their needs (Ogunniyi, 2012).
1.1.4
Definition of trader
According to Merriam-Webster online
dictionary (1828) a Trader is a person who buys, sells, or exchanges goods.
1.1.5
Definition of anthropometry
Anthropometry is the study and
technique of taking body measurements. It is used widely to measure the
nutritional status of individuals or populations. Anthropometric assessments
are useful because theyprovide a simple and practical way of describing the
overall nutritional status of the population. Anthropometric indicators define
the extent of the problems and could be used as one criterion in ranking areas
and population groups by need, in this way allowing the targeting of
appropriate interventions and informing decisions on resource allocation
(Sinha, 1995).
The dietary changes that
characterize the “nutrition transition” include both quantitative and
qualitative changes in the diet. The adverse dietary changes include shifts in
the structure of the diet towards a higher energy density diet with a greater
role for fat and added sugars in foods, greater saturated fat intake (mostly
from animal sources) reduced intakes of complex carbohydrates and dietary
fibre, and reduced fruits and vegetable intakes (Drewnowski and Popkin, 1997).
These dietary changes are compounded by lifestyle changes that reflect reduced
physical activity at work and during leisure time (Ferro-Luzzi and Martino,
1996). At the same time however, poor countries continue to face shortages and
nutrient inadequacies. The growing prevalence of overweight and obesity
worldwide has driven an increase in the cases of diabetes and hypertension
which are the major cardiovascular risk factors especially in the developing
world (Hossainet al., 2007).
The consequences of this surge are
especially felt in developing countries where the old scourge of malnutrition
underweight and infectious diseases already present a ubiquitous health
challenge (Hossainet al., 2007). An
explanation for this apparent trend has been hypothesized to be the
nutritional, demographic, epidemiological, and socioeconomic transitions
occurring in many developing countries (Riley, 2001). Paradoxically, the shift
in the pattern of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is occurring at a faster
rate than it did in the industrialized regions of the world half a century ago
(Popkin, 2002).
The lives of middle class Nigerian
women differ greatly from those of most western women. Since pre-colonial days,
women retained certain economic opportunities within the social system. In
fact, before the middle of the twenty century, Nigerian women traditionally
played a more significant role in society than did western. The world currently
produces enough food for its citizens (FAO, 2011). However, food demand is only
met in the aggregate, as there are profound disparities in access to food
across geographic regions and across the spectrum of income at both the
household and country levels. Despite considerable efforts to combat global
hunger, 925 million people were undernourished in 2010 while the number of overweight
and obese people, across the developed and developing worlds, rose to 1.5
billion in 2008 (FAO, 2012). The rise of this extreme discrepancy provides new
and unique challenges to household and governments as they strive to provide
sustainable dietary sustainable dietary substance to citizens (WHO, 2011).
There
are many ways to look at food consumption, most of which prompt difficult and
often complex conservations. Weather one resides in a developed or developing
country or in an economically affluent or impoverished household, food means
family, culture and survival. Food is also heavily politicized and a global
industry worth approximately USD 4.8 trillion yearly (World Bank, 2006).A
women’s position in the society change vastly once they marry since she becomes
a possession, with relatively no rights in her husband’s family.
Today,
women play a minimal role in politics, although the 1979 constitution
guarantied their rights. In pre-colonial Nigeria, women had a much larger
position in politics. Unfortunately, the western influences restricted women’s
participation. Now, women had to become moreinvolved. The political parties do
not look favourably upon female candidates. Besides, they constitute the
greatest percentage of the traders found in the market where they stay from
dawn to dusk. More often, it is observed that while women are busy carrying out
these income-generating activities coupled with household activities, they do
have less time for food preparation. As a result, some do have their lunch
skipped. The major challenge facing third-world women today is to overcome the
resource constraints that consign them to low levels of productivity and
well-being. While women's role in the food chain is essential to produce that
all-important resource food, it paradoxically does not guarantee women even
minimum levels of nutrition. Malnutrition adversely affects women's
participation in the economic system and their productivity. To break this
vicious downward spiral, it is important to focus simultaneously on women's
nutrition-related roles and their nutritional status.
1.2
STATEMENT
OF THE PROBLEM
As
western values gained influence in colonial Nigeria, women lost some of their
traditional rights. But as time passes, women are beginning to demand some equality.
Perhaps they will be able to reconcile the rights of the past with the freedoms
of a modern age (Akinloye, 2010). Women constitute the greatest percentage of
traders found in various markets where they stay from dawn to dusk. Their
dietary habits may lead to poor and even dangerous lifestyle. Their market
activities may influence lifestyle or determine the lifestyle which may
eventually affect their nutritional status.
The
market place is an occupational environment that can predispose individuals to
obesity, mainly due to the sedentary nature and enhanced access to food
(Afolabiet al., 2004). Market men and women spend most hours of the day
sitting down and involve in many other sedentary activities and consume diets
with mean daily energy intake higher than recommended levels (Afolabiet al.,
2004). These conditions increase their risk of developing obesity and other
non-communicable diseases. A study of traders across various parts of Nigeria
revealed prevalence of obesity to be 16.3% in Ibadan (Balogun and Owoaje,
2007), 12.3% in Lagos (Odugbemiet al., 2012) and 28.1% in Sokoto (Awosanet
al., 2014). There is, however, dearth of information on abdominal obesity
and market activities of female traders (Balogun and Owoaje, 2007; Odugbemiet
al., 2012; Awosanet al., 2014).
Women
are responsible for generating food security for their family members in
developing countries (Akinloye, 2010). A review of reports on women in sub
Saharan Africa revealed that their role in both subsistence food production and
food preparation may give them more control over their own and children’s
dietary consumption than in some other regions of the world, however, this
comes at the cost of extremely long and energy demanding work days (Harrison et
al., 1985; FAO/WHO, 1992; World Bank, 1992).The poor nutritional status of
Nigerian women and the relationship to tradition, customs and various cultural
practices affect their health in many ways. Under the patrilineal nature of the
Nigerian society, the major role of the women is the maintenance of their
household (Lloyd and Gage-Brandon, 2010).
They
are responsible for child bearing and care as well as their husband’s needs.
Their multiplicity of the role of women creates vulnerability to ill-health due
to fatigue.While other women depend on street foods to provide a significant
share of the daily foods,by their daily activity pattern, one may really wonder
when these market women will have the time to eat. It is reasonable to assure
that this type of work pattern will not only affect child nutrition but also
has detrimental effect on women’s health. The status and the living conditions
of these women are of paramount importance to prevent the various nutritional
deficiencies and disorders that women among others are prone to (Akinloye,
2010).
1.3
OB
JECTIVE OF THE STUDY
1.3.1
General
objective of the study
The
general objective of the study is to assess the food consumption pattern, and
anthropometric indices of market women in Ikwuano Local Government Area ofAbia
state.
1.3.2
Specific
objectives of the study
The
specific objectives of the study are to:
1. Assess
the socio-economic status of the subjects
2. Determine
the demographic characteristics of the market women
3. Determine
the food consumption pattern of the market women
4. Determine
the nutritional status of market women by using anthropometric indices
1.4
SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE STUDY
The
result of this study would be useful to the health sector by making available
data for the correlation of health conditions and occupation. It will also help
the traders use the information that was made available in this study to adopt
a more healthy food consumption pattern, thereby improving nutrition and
health. Results of this study will direct both government and other
non-governmental organizations toward actions that will help to foster both
health and nutrition of female traders and women in general.
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