ABSTRACT
This study assessed the lifestyle and anthropometric status of undergraduates in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike. A cross sectional study design was to select female and male undergraduate for this study. A simple random sampling was used to select 394 undergraduate students in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. A structured questionnaire constructed into four (4) sections was used to collect information on Socio-economic/demographic characteristics, Feeding pattern/habits lifestyle/activity pattern, anthropometric status including weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference was determined using standard methods. Body mass index and waist-hip ratio were calculated and all the anthropometric parameters were compared with their standard. The statistical package for service solution (SPPS Version 23) Computer programme was used to analyze the data. Chi-square test was used to determine the relationship and significance was judged at P<0.05. The result of this study revealed that breakfast consumption was prevalent as some (90.6%) and (96.2%) of male and female participants respectively while prevalence of meal skipping among students was high as (68.3%) skipped meals. Snacking prevalence was also high (93.4%) as the consumption of fruits and vegetables by students were generally low (27.9%). Smoking prevalence was low (14.0%) as many of the subjects do not smoke while alcohol consumption was high (53.6%0. Exercise was prevalent among the students as (91.3%) participated in this study. No significant association (P>0.05) existed between alcohol consumption, snacking, smoking and BMI of the students except for exercise which was significant (P<0.05) while no significant association was also observed between alcohol, exercise, snacking with their waist-hip ratio except for smoking which was significant, however no significant association existed between exercise, snacking and waist circumference except for alcohol consumption and smoking which was significant. Further study is required in the area of the effect of lifestyle on the BMI, waist hip ratio and waist circumference of undergraduate students as this will be necessary to throw more light on the association between lifestyle and the anthropometric status of undergraduates. There should be increased awareness on the consumption of healthy snacks such as fruits and vegetables whose consumption in this study was generally low.
TABLE OF CONTENT
TITLE PAGE i
CERTIFICATION ii
DEDICATION iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv
TABLE OF
CONTENTS v
LIST OF TABLES ix
ABSTRACT x
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION 1
1.1
Statement
Of Problem 4
1.2
Objectives
Of The Study 5
1.2.1
General Objective 5
1.2.2
Specific Objectives 5
1.3
Significance of the study 6
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1
What is lifestyle 7
2.2
Dietary pattern of undergraduate students 7
2.3
Lifestyles and its impact on health 9
2.3.1
Variables of lifestyle that influence health 12
2.3.2 Lifestyle change
process
15
2.4 The
benefits of social support for healthy lifestyle 19
CHAPTER
3
MATERIALS
AND METHODS
3.1 Study Design 20
3.2 Area of Study 20
3.3 Population of the Study 20
3.4 Sampling and Sampling Techniques 21
3.4.1 Sample Size 21
3.4.2
Sampling Procedure 21
3.5
Preliminary activities 22
3.5.1
Preliminary visits 22
3.5.2Training of research assistants 22
3.5.3Informed
consent 22
3.6
Data Collection 22
3.6.1
Questionnaire Administration 22
3.6.2
Anthropometric Measurements 23
3.6.2.1 Weight Measurement 23
3.6.2.2 Height Measurement 23
3.6.2.3 Waist Circumference (WC) 23
3.6.2.4 Hip Circumference (HC) 23
3.7 Data Analysis 24
3.8 Statistical Analysis 25
CHAPTER 4
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1
Socio-Economic Characteristics of Undergraduate Students 26
4.2
Lifestyle of Undergraduate Students 30
4.3 Frequency of
Lifestyle Activities of the Undergraduates 35
4.4
Anthropometric Characteristics of Undergraduate students 38
4.5 Effect of
Lifestyle on Anthropometric status of Undergraduate Students 43
CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Conclusion 47
5.2
Recommendation 47
REFERENCES 48
APPENDIX 60
LIST OF TABLES
Table
3.1: The International classification of adult underweight, overweight and
Obesityaccordingto BMI 24
Table
3.2: World Health Organization cut-off points and risk of metabolic
Complications 25
Table
4.1a: Personal information of the
undergraduate students 27
Table
4.1b: Socio-economic characteristics of
undergraduate students 29
Table
4.2: Lifestyle characteristics of
undergraduate students 34
Table 4.3: Lifestyle frequency characteristics of
undergraduate students 37
Table 4.4a: Anthropometric characteristics of
undergraduate students (mean and
StandardDeviation) 38
Table
4.4b: Anthropometric status and risk of
metabolic diseases of undergraduate
Students 42
Table 4.5a:
Effect of lifestyle on body mass index of undergraduate students 44
Table 4.5b: Effects of lifestyle on waist to hip ratio
of undergraduate students 45
Table
4.5c: Effects of lifestyle on waist circumference of undergraduate students 46
CHAPTER
1
INTRODUCTION
The
undergraduate student is faced with multiple challenges and more unpredicted
and alarming challenges continue to emerge every day. In
addition to the significant psychosocial instability characteristic of
adolescence and young adulthood, entering the university environment provides
new social relations and the adoption of new behaviors, such as different
eating patterns, physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking, which can
interfere with the physical, social and biological formation of this group and
may make these individuals vulnerable to health problems (Madureira et al., 2009). Young
adults, in consideration of important lifestyle changes, are arranged to
negatively modify their way of eating in terms of the variety, the consumption
of fruit and vegetables, the frequency and timing of food intake (Beasley et al., 2004; Lupi et al., 2015). The years spent at the university represent a
critical period that is able to influence both the quality of lifestyle and
eating habits of the subsequent adulthood and, also, on long-term, the health
of the individuals (Johansen et al.,
2006; Lupi et al., 2015).
Specifically, the university population is divided into two categories, those
who continue to live with their parents and those that are attending universities
far from their usual residence that live away from home. For both, the
beginning of the university matches with more freedom and independence and is
often the first time that young people assume the responsibility to choose and
prepare foods (Kresic´ et al., 2009;
Lupi et al., 2015). It has long been
known how much college students have difficulties in following healthy dietary
habits (Lupi et al., 2015). Taking
into consideration this background, special attention should be paid to
university students as a group particularly prone to poor dietary habits
(Papadaki et al., 2007; Lupi et al., 2015).
Although,
there is evidence that the onset of certain health conditions such as
depression, stress, obesity and hypertension are lifestyle dependent, and can
be prevented by certain lifestyle behaviors, such as physical activity, healthy
diets, moderate alcohol consumption and smoking (WHO, 2004; Lynn et al., 2004;
Hicks et al., 2013; Al-Naggar et al., 2013), it is still
necessary that the relationship of lifestyle and health should be highly
considered.
Adequate nutrition is important for a variety
of reasons, including optimal cardiovascular function, muscle strength,
respiratory ventilation, protection from infection, wound healing and
psychological well-being (Martin, 2006). Furthermore, the World Health
Organization (WHO, 2004) pointed out that 60% of an individual’s health and
quality of life depends on his or her lifestyle behaviors. WHO. (2011). Further suggested that engaging
in four key health behaviors, such as being physically active, avoiding
smoking, drinking alcohol moderately, and consuming at least five portions of
fruit and vegetables a day may prolong one’s life.
Anthropometry involves the external
measurement of morphological traits of human beings (Ulijaszek etal., 2000). It has a widespread and
important place in nutritional assessment, and while the literature on
anthropometric measurement and its interpretation is enormous, the extent to
which measurement error can influence both measurement and nutritional status
is little considered (Ulijaszek etal.,
2000). Anthropometric measures are highly reliable for determining the
nutritional status when compared with more sophisticated methodologies
(hydro-densitometry, dilution techniques and electronic bio-impedance), the use
of which is restricted by complexity and cost in population studies (Kyle et al., 2002). Lifestyle and ethnic
composition of populations could cause changes in the distribution of body
dimensions and these changes will require regular updating of anthropometric
data collections (Villareal et al.,
2005)
Anthropometric values are closely related to
nutrition, genetic-makeup, environmental characteristics, social and cultural
conditions, lifestyle, functional status and health (Grinker et al., 2000; Villareal et al., 2005; Forster and Gariballa,
2005). Anthropometric indices are used to evaluate the prognosis of chronic and
acute diseases and also as a guide in medical intervention in both the young
and elderly people (Grinker et al.,
2000; Villareal et al., 2005; Forster
and Gariballa, 2005). Changes in body composition differ in men and women at
different life stages and are reflected in anthropometric measures
(Perissinotto et al., 2002).
Consequently, different anthropometric indices are used at different life
stages to evaluate nutritional status.
1.1
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Recent trends in the results of major
examination in the country have indicated that there is a decline in academic
performance of students at all levels (Ighodalo, 2004). A remote cause of poor
academic performance of students could be linked to the worsening socioeconomic
condition of the country, which has affected the feeding habit of students
(Ighodalo, 2004). Other studies have related lifestyle of students,
particularly breakfast consumption, to their cognitive abilities as reflected
in their academic performance (Hoyland et
al., 2009). However, most of these studies have excluded young adults in
the tertiary institution. Research has revealed that college students
show low prevalence ofhealthy eating, with a high intake of fat and added sugar
and a low intakeof fruits and vegetables (Vieira et al., 2002). Such practices, associated with a low level
ofphysical activity, may contribute to the increasing prevalence of obesityin
this population (Hedley et al.,
2004).It is known that obesity and the incidence of eating disorders has
beenincreasing in recent decades, particularly involving teenagers and
youngadults (Campagna and Souza, 2006; Monteiro et al., 2007). Notwithstanding, few studies have investigated the
nutritionalprofile of university students and factors associated with such
profile.Such data could be useful in guiding the planning and implementationof
health interventions at the university - an institution considered to
beimportant in forming students’ habits (Alves and Boog, 2007). The university
period is considered a period when some young adults leave home to stay within
or around the campus environment. This development is followed by a
responsibility of decision making, making it a critical period for habit and
lifestyle development, also the influence of peer pressure is high on this
group, making it a period when new habits (healthy or unhealthy) and lifestyle
(healthy or unhealthy) are formed. These lifestyles have been shown to have
either a positive or detrimental effect on the nutritional status which in turn
affects the health and general wellbeing of the individual both in the short
and long run (Vieira et al., 2002;
Monteiro et al., 2009). However there
is limited information on the lifestyle
and anthropometric status among undergraduate students in MOUAU and Nigeria in
general. It is in view of this that this study thus seeks to assess lifestyle and anthropometric
status of undergraduate students of Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture,
Umidike.
1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1.2.1 General objective
The general objective of this study is to
assess lifestyle and anthropometric status of undergraduate students of Micheal
Okpara University of Agriculture, Umidike, abia State.
1.2.2 Specific
objectives
The specific objectives of the study include
to:
1. determine the socio-economic status of
undergraduate students of MOUAU
2. assess the lifestyle of undergraduate
students of MOUAU
3. assess the anthropometric status of
undergraduate students of MOUAU
4. determine the relationship between
lifestyle and anthropometric status of undergraduate students in MOUAU using
Chi-square test.
1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Findings from this study will portray the
lifestyle and anthropometric status of undergraduate students of MOUAU in part
and Nigeria as a whole. This will help policy makers, nutrition educators,
health professionals, government and non-governmental organization, young
adults and the general public tailor out interventions, implement, monitor and
evaluate its impacts. It may also convince the Nigeria University councils at
large and the University of Agriculture Umidike Governing councils to restore
and closely monitor school meal subsidy and University Catering service.
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