NUTRITION KNOWLEDGE AND LIFESTYLE AMONG ADULT TRADERS IN OGBETE MARKET IN ENUGU NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ENUGU STATE

 ABSTRACT

The study was undertaken to determine nutrition knowledge and lifestyle among adult traders in Ogbete market in Enugu north local government area (LGA), Enugu state. Data for this report was obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 217 traders. Purposive sampling method was used. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on socioeconomic characteristics, lifestyle factors, nutrition knowledge and dietary pattern. Data obtained from the study were subjected to statistical analysis, using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. The results of the different variables collected revealed that some (27.2%) traders were within the ages of 20-25 years. Highest educational qualification attained by most (55.8%) was secondary school and 19.8% earned less than N 10,000 monthly. About 47.5% had good nutrition knowledge of major sources of protein, vitamins/minerals, energy and diets that provide adequate amount of nutrient. About 83.9% consumed alcoholic beverage such as beer (33.5%), 44.7% preferred coca cola products. Similarly, 44.7% were currently smoking one to two cigarettes (68%) and more than two packets (32), for 3 years and above (60.8%). All the traders engaged themselves in one form of exercise or the other such as brisk walk (39.2%), 1-2 times a week (39.6). Food habit profile of the respondent shows that breakfast was the only skipped meal (22.1%). About 36.4% took soft drinks in the market and 31.3% took vegetables. Pearson correlation shows that marital status negatively determine their alcoholic beverage intake (x2=-0.202;p=0.006), cigarette intake (x2=-0.254;p=0.012) and nutrition knowledge (x2=-0.142;p=0.036). Also, educational background significantly affected their alcoholic intake (x2=-0.146; p=0.048) smoking habit (x2=-0.269; p=0.008) and nutrition knowledge (x2=-0.306; p=0.000). Monthly income significantly affect their carbonated drink intake (x2=-0.321;p=0.000)and nutrition knowledge (x2=-0.207;p=0.002). The study underscores the need for educational campaigns regarding healthier lifestyles and dietary habit among the traders.

TABLE OF CONTENTS  

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Nutrition as the science of food and its relationship to health has been recognized in recent years as the cornerstone of socioeconomic development (Parks, 2009). 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). Adequate nutrition entails a diet that contains the constituents (carbohydrate, fats, proteins, water, vitamins and minerals) that are required for body building, energy supply, body defense and regulatory functions in quantities commensurate with the body need (Awosanet al., 2013).

Knowledge may be defined as factual and interpretative information that leads to understanding or that is useful in making decisions or informed actions (Worsley, 2002). The effect of inadequate knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding nutrition and lifestyle has not been much emphasized in many studies.

Nutrition knowledge is knowledge of nutrients and nutrition (Worsley, 2002).

Lifestyle can denote the interests, opinions, behaviours, and behavioural orientations of an individual, group, or culture (Lynn and Angeline, 2011).

A lifestyle typically reflects an individual's attitudes, way of life, values, or world view. Therefore, a lifestyle is a means of forging a sense of self and to create cultural symbols that resonate with personal identity. Not all aspects of a lifestyle are voluntary. Surrounding social and technical systems can constrain the lifestyle choices available to the individual and the symbols she/he is able to project to others and the self (Spaargaren and VanVliet, 2000).

The market as a meeting place for distributors of goods (and even producers of some goods especially food items produced by small scale farmers) and consumers, represents the soul of every community (Awosan et al., 2014). The market place as an occupational environment can predispose individuals to obesity, mainly due to the sedentary nature and enhanced access to food (Ukegbuet al., 2015). Markets therefore provide a forum for reaching a large adult population with information on nutrition and therefore understanding the nutrition behaviour and lifestyle of traders may provide the foundation for an effective campaign against poor or inadequate nutrition knowledge (Tobin et al., 2015).

Most traders spend more time away from their homes thus; influence from friends, media and environment further affect their dietary practices and lifestyle. Poor dietary practices are major contributors to the development of chronic non-communicable diseases (Schmidt et al., 2011; WHO/FAO, 2003). There is growing evidence suggesting that people from developing countries are increasingly making unhealthy food choices especially due to lack of knowledge and wrong perception towards healthy foods (Mirmiranet al., 2007). This is mainly because presently the concept of ‘food’ has changed from a means of nourishment to a marker of lifestyle and a source of pleasure as portrayed by media (Dehghanet al., 2005). A large proportion of televised food advertisements are of highly processed foods/convenient foods with high caloric content, large amounts of fat and sugar, and with little or no micronutrient content (Juan, 2006).

Therefore, to be able to overcome the emerging health issues and related health risks, traders have to be empowered to make the right food choices by providing them with nutrition knowledge and changing their attitudes towards healthy eating and lifestyle.

1.2       STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Nutrition is an important issue in many disciplines, but the nutrition knowledge, attitudes and lifestyle of traders have not been elucidated in many studies.Poor nutrition knowledge and dietary practices are major contributors to the development of chronic non-communicable diseases (Schmidt, 2011;WHO/FAO, 2003). Most chronic diseases in adulthood originate from poor knowledge of nutrition and dietary practices which are mainly formed during childhood (Flynn et al., 2006; Abdollahiet al., 2008; Hwenda, 2013).The market place as an occupational environment can predispose individuals to obesity, mainly due to the sedentary nature and enhanced access to food (Ukegbuet al., 2015). Traders represent an important productive sector of the economy. Markets provide a forum for reaching a large adult population with information on nutrition and therefore understanding the nutrition behaviour and lifestyle of traders may provide the foundation for an effective campaign against poor or inadequate nutrition knowledge (Tobin et al., 2015).

Poor nutrition knowledge and lifestyle is one of the underlying factors that contribute to health problems as nutrition has been shown to play an important role in adopting optimal nutrition practices. Nutrition knowledge can be seen as a key prevention strategy for most health challenges like overweight and obesity (Grafova, 2006).

Furthermore knowledge, attitudes and practices of traders are important determinants of the occurrence or outcome of health crisis. The status and explanatory role of nutrition knowledge is uncertain in public health nutrition. Much of the uncertainty about this area has been generated by conceptual confusion about the nature of knowledge and behaviours, nutrition knowledge and food behaviours in particular (Triches and Giugliani, 2005).

A study by Ulasiet al. (2011) reported a high prevalence of hypertension (42.0%) in a market population in Enugu, Nigeria. Another study by Odugbemiet al. (2012) also reported high prevalence of hypertension (34.8%), physical inactivity (92.0%), cigarette smoking by males (17.5%), obesity (12.3%) and overweight (39.9%) among traders in Lagos. However, previous studies among traders in Nigeria, majorly examined lifestyle and prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) or their risk factors. There is a dearth of literature on their nutrition knowledge and lifestyle and its correlation (if any), even though they are prone to consuming the high energy dense foods that they sell to people.

There is growing evidence that suggests that people from developing countries are increasingly making unhealthy food choices especially due to lack of knowledge and wrong perception towards healthy foods (Triches and Giugliani, 2005). In addition, traders in urban centers such as Enugu have easy access to numerous fast food outlets, restaurants and supermarkets, and they are left to make decisions on what to eat. Therefore, to be able to overcome the emerging issue of poor nutrition and related health risks, traders have to be empowered to make the right food choices by providing them with nutrition knowledge and changing their attitudes towards healthy eating.

1.3       OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

1.3.1    General Objectives of the Study

This study will assess nutrition knowledge and lifestyle among adult traders in Ogbete market in Enugu North Local Government Area (LGA), Enugu State.

1.3.2    Specific Objectives of the Study

The specific objectives are to:

1.      Determine the socio-economic status of adult traders in Ogbete market in Enugu North Local Government Area (LGA), Enugu State.

2.      Evaluate the nutrition knowledge of adult traders in Ogbete market in Enugu North Local Government Area (LGA), Enugu State.

3.      Assess their life style factors

4.      Determine the association of socio-economic status on nutrition knowledge and lifestyle factors.

1.4       SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The results from this study will contribute a great deal in creating awareness among adult traders about the risk factors and long term effect of poor nutrition and life style. The findings of the study will encourage a healthy lifestyle, good nutrition for adult traders in the country. It will be useful in creating awareness on the risk of diseases that affects adult traders in Ogbete market in Enugu State. The ministry of health and other health practitioners (dietitians, nutritionists and doctors) will harness the findings from this study in the fight against the major killer diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc. It will also be beneficial to the government as a health policy formulation tool. They will be able to come up with an appropriate nutrition policy.

Buyers has the right to create dispute within seven (7) days of purchase for 100% refund request when you experience issue with the file received. 

Dispute can only be created when you receive a corrupt file, a wrong file or irregularities in the table of contents and content of the file you received. 

ProjectShelve.com shall either provide the appropriate file within 48hrs or send refund excluding your bank transaction charges. Term and Conditions are applied.

Buyers are expected to confirm that the material you are paying for is available on our website ProjectShelve.com and you have selected the right material, you have also gone through the preliminary pages and it interests you before payment. DO NOT MAKE BANK PAYMENT IF YOUR TOPIC IS NOT ON THE WEBSITE.

In case of payment for a material not available on ProjectShelve.com, the management of ProjectShelve.com has the right to keep your money until you send a topic that is available on our website within 48 hours.

You cannot change topic after receiving material of the topic you ordered and paid for.