Feeding habits, Overweight, Obesity and Hypertension and Associated Factors among Polytechnic Students in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Overweight and obesity is a risk factor to chronic non-communicable diseases. This study assessed level of overweight/obesity and blood pressure among students of a higher institution in Southwest Nigeria. This cross-section study involved 300 students of a public higher institution in Ado-Ekiti, Southwest, Nigeria. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on personal characteristics, feeding pattern and lifestyle of the students. Body Mass Index (BMI) was categorized into normal weight (BMI<25) and overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 25). Waist circumference and waist-hip-ratio (WHR) were classified as normal and at risk. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg. Chi square test was used to establish relationship between variables at 5% level of significance. The mean age of the students was 22.25 years and 62.8% were above 20years. Monthly allowanceless than ₦30000.00 was received by 64.4% of the students, 47.3% skipped breakfast meal, 96% consumed carbonated soft drinks and 37.1% did not engaged in physical exercise. Prevalence of general obesity was 17.1% (BMI≥25); 7% and 15.5% were at risk of abdominal and central obesity respectively. Students in systolic pre-hypertension and stage I hypertension were 33.3% and 3% respectively whereas 15.5% and 2.4% were in diastolic pre-hypertension and stage I hypertension respectively. Female gender, monthly allowance less than ₦30000.00 and adolescent stage were associated with obesity. Older age, male gender and monthly allowance less than ₦30000.00 were associated with BP. Nutrition education is recommended for this population group.

Relationship of anthropometrics and blood pressure to identify people at risk of hypertension and obesity-related conditions in Nigerian rural areas

“…The prevalence of obesity and hypertension is increasing, particularly in the urban areas. [14,15] However, there is limited research on the relationship between obesity and hypertension in the rural areas of southeastern Nigeria. Understanding this relationship in body composition among the eastern population will add to the body of knowledge in anthropometric studies for identifying individuals at risk of hypertension and for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.…”

Necessity for Sports Vision Training in Institutions of Higher Learning: A Concise Evaluation

“…Nonetheless, the number of studies considering how sports vision training affects non-athletes like average university students is limited. Studies have indicated that the rise in technological advancements in the education sector also plays as one of the key factors leading to the problems associated with ocular and physical disorder (Chitkara et al, 2020;Dada & Igbe, 2021). Therefore, the need to investigate the benefits of such training is much more among university students considering the rise of visual skills problems among them.…”