Food consumption pattern and prevalence of obesity among street food vendors in Abeokuta South Local Government Area, Ogun State

Abstract

Background: Obesity has emerged as a significant global challenge, affecting developed and developing countries. Traders including street food vendors often consume street food which is often laden with processed foods, sugar, or calories, as well as higher energy and fat intake which increases the risk of overweight and obesity.
Objective: This study assessed the food consumption pattern and prevalence of obesity among street food vendors in Abeokuta South Local Government Area, Ogun State.
Methods: The study was descriptive and cross-sectional in nature. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select one hundred respondents in Abeokuta South Local Government Area. Data was elicited through a semi-structured questionnaire with different sections on socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics, dietary habits, food frequency questionnaire, and anthropometric characteristics. Data were analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS, v20.0).
Results: More respondents (32%) fell between the ages of 26-34 years and were predominantly female (84%). A higher percentage of the respondents (73%) consume sugar-sweetened beverages, 30% mostly consume rice and 13% mostly consume bread. Many (42%) of the respondents are overweight, 18% have obesity grade 1, and 6% have obesity grade 2. There was a strong association between socio-demographic characteristics and nutritional status at p<0.05 level of significance.
Conclusion: This study established obesity prevalence among street food vendors with risk factors considered to be high intake of energy-dense meals and sugar-sweetened soft drinks as well as most respondents consuming three or more meals daily. It is recommended that street food vendors control their consumption patterns of energy-dense foods, meal consumption frequency, and sugar-sweetened soft drinks intake to reduce the high prevalence of obesity among them.