Food consumption pattern and nutritional status of selected students in a Nigerian polytechnic

Abstract

Introduction: Oscillating poverty line in most African countries has direct impact on the nutritional intakes of young adults especially students in tertiary institutions.

Objective: To investigate the food consumption pattern and nutritional status of students in Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on four hundred students randomly selected using probability according to sample (PPS) from the four schools in the Polytechnic. Socio-demographic characteristics, feeding pattern and nutritional knowledge were obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. Anthropometric indices were also obtained using standard procedures. Body mass index was calculated from weight and height (kg/m²). Data collected were analysed for descriptive and Pearson Correlations using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 19.0, SPSS, Inc) software. P values were reported at a significance level of 5%.

Results: Three hundred and sixty students completed the study (compliance rate-90%). Most respondents (78.6%) had good knowledge of nutrition. The mean height and weight of males (1.70±0.07m; 62.52±8.31kg) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than for females (1.60±0.07; 58.25±9.70) while body mass index were significantly higher in females (22.61±3.44Kg/m² ) than males (21.73± 2.77kg/m² ). Prevalence of underweight (BMI<18.5kg/m² ) was 7.5% while 11.1% were either overweight or obese. Food pattern showed generous consumption of starchy foods, moderate consumption of plant and animal protein and poor consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Conclusion: There is double burden of malnutrition and poor consumption of fruits and vegetables among the studied population.

Keywords: Nutritional status, young adults, dietary intakes, malnutrition