ABSTRACT
Adequate nutrition in students is a vital key to overall performance in school as it affects their learning capacity and cognitive development. This study examines the food habit, nutritional knowledge and anthropometric status of students in Obowo Local Government Area, Imo State. The study was a cross-sectional study. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a total of 414 respondents. Data on socio-demographic/economic characteristics, feeding habits, nutritional knowledge and anthropometric status of the respondents were collected using structured and validated questionnaire. The IBM SPSS version 23.0 computer programme was used to analyze the data. Significant relationship was judged at p ≤ 0.05. Data obtained were presented using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between food habits, anthropometric status and nutritional knowledge of the respondents. Result from the study showed that 42% of the respondents were still in secondary and are between the age of 17 years and 19 years (41.8%). More than half (56.3%) of their fathers have attended their tertiary education, majority (68.8%) are civil servants while most (87.9%) of them above N 38,000 in a month. However, majority (63.5%) of the respondents fed more than 3 times in a day and most (69.8%) of them skip their meals. Most of them eat fruits (66.2%) and vegetables (66.1%) at least 3 times in a week. Meanwhile, more than half (56.5%) of the respondents had poor nutrition knowledge while few (10.6%) had a good nutrition knowledge. More than half (56%) of the respondents had normal height- for- age, 44.9% of them are wasted while 57.2% were overweight. There was a significant relationship between respondents nutritional knowledge and their meal skipping habit (p=0.05), snacking habit (p=-0.046) and their vegetable consumption (p=-0.023). There was also a significant relationship between respondent’s height for-age and their meal skipping habit. There was also a significant relationship between respondent’s weight- for-age and their snacking habit (p=-0.01) and vegetable consumption (0.013). A significant relationship was also found between their BMI for age and their meal skipping habit (p=-0.034) and fruit consumption (0.041). The results revealed that the students were deficient in knowledge and understanding of the facts about energy and nutritive values of foods. Therefore, adequate nutrition education is needed at both primary and secondary level; this will enable the students to make good food choices and positively influence their eating habits thereby ensuring better nutritional status.
TABLES OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE i
CERTIFICATION. ii
DEDICATION. iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. iv
TABLE OF CONTENT. v
LIST OF TABLES vi
ABSTRACT vii
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM 4
1.2 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY 4
1.2.1 General objective 4
1.2.2 Specific objectives 4
1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY 5
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW 7
2.1 FOOD HABITS 7
2.1.1 What People Eat 8
2.1.2 Exposure to Foods 8
2.2 FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE FOOD HABITS 9
2.2.1 Individual Preference 9
2.2.2 Cultural Influences 9
2.2.3 Social Influences 10
2.2.4 Religious Influences. 10
2.2.5 Economic Influences. 10
2.2.6 Environmental Influences. 11
2.2.7 Political Influences. 11
2.3ANTHROPOMETRIC ASSESSMENT 11
2.3.1 Body Weight: 12
2.3.2 Height: 12
2.3.3 Undernutrition 13
2.4 ANTHROPOMETRIC STATUS 13
2.5 SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS 14
2.5.1 Gender 14
2.5.2 Ethnicity 14
2.5.3 AGE 14
2.5.4 Education Level 15
CHAPTER 3: MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1STUDY DESIGN 16
3.2 AREA OF STUDY 16
3.3 POPULATION OF THE STUDY 16
3.4 SAMPLING AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUE 17
3.4.1 Sample Size: 17
3.4.2 Sampling Procedure 18
3.5 PRELIMINARY ACTIVITIES 18
3.5.1 Preliminary visits. 18
3.5.2 Training of research assistants 19
3.5.3 Informed Consent 19
3.6 DATA COLLECTION 19
3.6.1 QUESTIONNAIRE ADMINISTRATION 19
3.6.2 Anthropometric measurements 20
3.7 DATA ANALYSIS: 21
3.8 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS 21
CHAPTER 4 RESULT AND DISCUSSION
4.1 socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents 23
4.2 socio-economic characteristics of the parents 24
4.3a food habits of the respondents 26
4.4 nutritional knowledge of the respondents 31
4.5: anthropometric status of the respondents 33
4.6 relationship between food habits and nutritional
knowledge of the respondents 34
4.7 relationship between food habits and anthropometric
status of the respondents 36
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 conclusion 38
5.2 recommendation 39
REFERENCES 40
LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1a: Socio-Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents 24
Table 4.2: Socio-Economic Characteristics of the Parents 26
Table 4.3a: Food Habits of the Respondents 27
Table 4.3a continue: Food Habits of the Respondents 29
Table 4.3a continue: Food Habits of the Respondents 30
Table 4.4: Nutritional Knowledge of the Respondents 32
Table 4.5: Anthropometric status of the respondents 34
Table 4.6: Relationship between Food Habits and Nutritional Knowledge of the Respondents 35
Table 4.7: Relationship between Food Habits and Anthropometric Status of the Respondents 37
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Adequate nutrition in students is a vital key to overall performance in school as it affects their learning capacity and cognitive development. Poor eating habits and lack of nutrition knowledge are important public health issues that have serious health complications ( Andere and kyallo, 2013). In schools, lack of central feeding facilities for students has forced students to take responsibility of their feeding (Achinihu, 2009). As a result of poor nutritional knowledge, most students in Nigerian schools lack funds or divert their feeding money for other needs and skip meals, this predisposes them to malnutrition. According to Estima et al. (2009) and Levy et al. (2010) the most prevalent habits accustomed in this age group include changing main meals to snacks, skipping breakfast, reducing the intake of fruits and vegetables and increasing consumption of sodas and high calorie foods, these habits can result in micronutrient deficiency and increase the risk of obesity (Zimmerman et al., 2008; Menzie et al., 2008).). High consumption of imported and processed foods which are highly refined, high in sugar, fats and salts coupled with less physical activity greatly contribute to rising chronic diseases even among young adults (Den Hartog, Stavereren & Brouwer, 2006). A high degree of nutritional knowledge is known to influence nutritional intake or practices (O'Brien and Davies, 2007).
A rapid transition in diet and activity patterns is occurring globally, paralleled by major demographic and socioeconomic changes. Diet changes include an increase in the consumption of vegetable oils, sugar-sweetened beverages, and ultra-processed and fast and street foods. These changes, together with a decrease in physical activity levels, are resulting in rising levels. Students, which are mainly adolescence has been described by WHO as a period of life between 10-19 years of age. It is a time profound biological, emotional, social and cognitive change during which a child develops into adult. During adolescence, healthy eating habits is a fundamental prerequisite for physical growth, psychological development and cognitive performance, as well as prevention of diet- related chronic diseases in adulthood (Chandra-Mouli et al 2006) . The transition in living environment and freedom to make food choices among them may translate to good or bad nutritional status There is an increase need for energy, protein, vitamins and minerals .This is a period of risk, a period when health problems with potential serious consequences occur, and problem behaviors which have potentially sever adverse effects on future health are initiated (Chandra-Mouli et al 2006). However, the struggle for independence that characterizes adolescent psychological development often leads to development of health comprising eating behaviors, such as excessive dieting, meal skipping (especially breakfast), use of conventional nutritional and non-nutritional supplements, and the adoption of fad diets. Health, eating patterns and behaviors of adolescents are affected by many factors, including peer influences, parental modeling, food availability, food preferences, cost, convenience, personal and cultural beliefs, mass media and body image.(Shaw 1998; Oluma-Kaiye et al.,2010).
Food habit fueling the global overweight, underweight and obesity epidemic include an increased consumption of energy dense foods that are high in fat and sugars but low in vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients as well as low consumption of legumes, milk, fruits and vegetables (Drewnowski and Popkin, 1997; Cavalli-Soforza et al., 1996).
According to Triches and Giugliani (2005), food and nutrient intake is related to weight gain, not only in terms of the volume of the food ingested, but also in terms of the composition and quality of the diet. Following Chinese populations during the period of economic growth accompanied by a diet higher in fat and meat and low in carbohydrates and fiber, found the increase of fat intake to be significantly related to an increase in body mass index (BMI). Healthy eaters have a higher nutritional knowledge leading to good food choices which can promote reduction and maintenance of weight.
An inadequate level of physical activity or sedentary lifestyle is directly associated with weight gain in human beings. Physical activity accounts for 10 to 30 % of daily energy expenditure. For this reason, a person experiencing a reduction in physical activity due to a change in labour practices or forms of transportation may spend less energy. This decline in energy expenditure, if not accompanied by a reduction in energy intake may result in weight gain and potential obesity. Decreased physical activity due to increasingly sedentary nature of many forms of work, changing modes of transportation, and increasing urbanization (Klumbiene et al., 2004; Kruger et al., 2002), all contribute to positive energy expenditure which contributes to overweight and obesity. Indicators of body weight status are determinants of overweight or obesity. These indicators include body mass index (BMI) or Quetelet Index, waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) (Laquatra, 2004). BMI is (W/H2), in which W is weight in kilograms and H is height in centimeters. According to World Health Organization, WHO (1998) and Cataldo et al. (2003), BMI is commonly used because it correlates well with body fatness and degree of disease. As a general guideline, overweight and obesity are defined, respectively, as BMI values exceeding 25 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2 (Whitne,y et al., 2006). These food habits formed have lead to increased public awareness, and the interest in the dietary practice and knowledge of these students. The choice of right food to eat becomes a problem as most of them eat merely to satisfy their hunger and some others eat for pleasure.
1.1 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The high prevalence of overweight and obesity represents a serious public health concern as recognized risk factors for chronic conditions and diseases. Many students may be overweight or obese due to socio-demographic factors, food habits and a lack of nutritional knowledge. This situation places them at significant risk for numerous lifestyle related chronic conditions and diseases such as heart and respiratory diseases, diabetes and various forms of cancer. Secondary school can be an ideal setting for preventive intervention programs. Many secondary school students are still forming their lifestyle pattern such as eating practices\habits. For many of them this development period may be the last opportunity for cost effective health education and preventative intervention that they will use in their daily lives. Prevention and management programs for overweight and obesity include the availability of information about the reality of overweight and obesity among various population groups particularly students.
1.2 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
1.2.1 General objective
The general objective of this study is to determine the food habits, nutritional knowledge and anthropometric status of students in obowo Local Government Area Imo State.
1.2.2 Specific objectives
The specific objectives of this study are to:
1. assess the socio-demographic characteristics of students
2. determine the food habits of students in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State.
3. evaluate the nutritional knowledge of students in Obowo Local Government Area Imo State.
4. assess the anthropometric status of students in Obowo Local Government Area Imo State.
5. determine the relationship between food habits and nutritional knowledge of students in Obowo Local Government Imo State; and
6. determine the relationship between food habits and anthropometric status of students in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo state.
1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The result of this study would go a long way to enlighten the Government, as well as the policy and decision makers on the need for adequate nutrition and health care services as a measure of improving healthy living and the individual’s anthropometric standard. The study will sensitize students on the appropriate food habits, educate them on nutrition, saving posterity, thereby increasing the man power needed for economic development.. The data collected on the research study will be relevant to the community health workers and nutritionists who needs facts for the preparation of nutrition education seminars for various population groups especially in the primary health care and schools, and serve as a teaching aid during lectures. This paper work will equally serve as a vehicle for creating awareness of the nutritional situation among students in obowo local government area Imo state, thereby attracting necessary interests in profound ways and it would also help in academic purposes as a base for subsequent research and study. . Availability of information will assist in setting goals and targets to reduce the prevalence of overweight, underweight and obesity such as healthy eating practices and nutritional knowledge. Food habit have been indicated as a direct determinant of this problem (Triches and Giugliani, 2005), and nutritional knowledge has been recommended as a strategy to employ so that the population can enjoy a healthy diet, and attain an appropriate weight (Kruger et al., 2005).
This study was undertaken in an attempt to establish the socio-demographic factors influencing body weight as well as the association between food habits, nutritional knowledge and anthropometric status among students in obowo L.G.A Imo state. Information obtained from this study could help design education programs for these students to address identified problems and could contribute to improvement of nutrition knowledge and practices and weight management and thus improved health care of their families.
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