Evaluation of Airtime Usage on the Feeding Pattern of Tertiary Students: A Case Study of Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu (FCAI), Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Queen C. Adeoye-Agomoh, Happiness C. Ezenwa — Fri, 02 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examined the food consumption patterns of students in the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria and the influence of mobile phone usage, particularly airtime consumption, on their dietary habits. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design and employed stratified sampling techniques to ensure representation across various academic programmes (Higher National and National Diploma). Data were collected through a combination of structured questionnaires and interviews, allowing for both quantitative and qualitative insights. A total of 359 respondents participated in the survey, comprising 55.8% males and 44.2% females. Most of the respondents (80.8%) were single, and a majority (72.5%) identified as Christians. The data revealed that mobile phone usage significantly affects students' feeding behaviour, with 74.2% accepting that airtime usage affects their food consumption patterns. The most common pattern of eating observed was "1-0-1" (one meal in the morning and night), by 49.3% of the respondents. This was attributed to lack of money (49.3%), followed by lack of food availability, time constraints, and inadequate cooking knowledge. Health issues (55.7%), academic performance decline (27.6%), and psychological stress (16.7%) were reported as reasons for irregular feeding. Airtime was primarily used for both making calls and buying data (60.7%), indicating a strong digital involvement among students. Interestingly, majority (82.5%) believed that reducing airtime expenses could positively impact their ability to afford better meals. The findings emphasize the relationship between phone usage and nutrition among students, highlighting the need for targeted interventions such as financial literacy, time management education, and food preparation skills to promote healthier eating habits in tertiary institutions.

Optimization of a Multi-Micronutrient Powder Formulation Incorporating Moringa oleifera: A Sustainable Approach to Nutritional Intervention

A. B., Yusuf, I., Sani, O. Emmanuel, O.K. Adetunji — Sun, 11 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Micronutrients are essential nutrients that play a crucial role in supporting human health, survival, and overall bodily functions. Micronutrient deficiencies remain a critical public health concern, particularly in developing regions where malnutrition is prevalent. This study aimed to formulate and optimize a micronutrient powder blend using locally sourced ingredients which are Moringa, Spinach, Carrot, and Eggshell to address micronutrient deficiencies and improve dietary intake. Three formulations (F1, F2, and F3) were developed to evaluate their nutritional composition, functional properties, storage stability, and sensory acceptability. The study employed an experimental design, including proximate analysis, micronutrient profiling, assessment of antinutritional factors, and sensory evaluation. The results showed that the three formulations contained varying levels of essential micronutrients, with F3 exhibiting the highest calcium (369.43 mg/100 g), iron (393.97 mg/100 g), and vitamin A (126.40 μg/g) content. Functional properties such as bulk density (0.48–0.50 g/cm³), water adsorption capacity (1.26–1.30 g/g), and swelling capacity (1.32–1.35 g/g) were within acceptable ranges. Storage stability analysis indicated minimal nutrient degradation over time, with peroxide values ranging from 8.30 to 8.73 meq/kg. Sensory evaluation revealed that F1 had the highest overall acceptability, particularly in color (8.33), taste (8.33), and texture (7.67). These findings suggest that the developed micronutrient powder formulations could serve as viable dietary supplements to combat micronutrient deficiencies. Further studies are recommended to assess bioavailability, large-scale production feasibility, and potential health impacts.

Direct Research Journal of Agriculture and Food Science

Evaluation of Airtime Usage on the Feeding Pattern of Tertiary Students: A Case Study of Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu (FCAI), Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Optimization of a Multi-Micronutrient Powder Formulation Incorporating Moringa oleifera: A Sustainable Approach to Nutritional Intervention