Nutrition knowledge and factors associated with anthropometric and haematological indices among female undergraduate students in University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Abstract

Poor nutritional status among adolescents and young adults can have serious consequences on their health. This study assessed the nutrition knowledge, anthropometric, haematological indices and associated factors among female undergraduate students of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 500 respondents from four faculties of the University. Nutrition knowledge and food habit of the respondents were obtained using structured and validated questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements (weight and height), haemoglobin, haematocrit, malaria parasite and blood pressure were obtained. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 18.0 was used for data analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Data were presented as frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation. Relationships existing among variables at p < 0.05 were determined using Pearson's correlation. Fair nutrition knowledge existed in 40.0% of the respondents. Anthropometric measurements revealed that 40.0% and 2.0% were overweight and severely obese, respectively. The prevalence of mild anaemia was 25.3% while 64% had for malaria parasite. Systolic and diastolic hypertension existed in 2.7% and 5.3%, respectively. Significant (p < 0.05) relationship existed between haemoglobin and monthly allowance; malaria parasite; body mass index (BMI) and nutrition knowledge. Poor nutrition knowledge, obesity, malaria and anaemia existed among the respondents. Nutrition education is required and should be promoted amongst University students.

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

“…Less than one fifth of the students were in pre-hypertension which was higher than the outcome of Olatona et al (2018) in Nigeria. Less than 5% were in stage I hypertension which was similar to 2.8% obtained by Olatona et al (2018) and lower than 5.3% of Okafor et al (2018) on Nigerian students. Both systolic and diastolic prehypertension and stage I hypertension were higher in males than females, this result was similar to the results of previous studies (Ukegbu et al, 2017;Maduka et al, 2017;Alhawari et al, 2018;Agwo & Adewumi, 2020;Gwarzo et al, 2020;Eze & Kadiri, 2020).…”

“…Previous studies on students of higher institutions across Nigeria reveal high prevalence of overweight ranging from 4% to 40% and obesity was between 2.7% and 18% (Oghagbon et al, 2009;Ayodele et al, 2009;Aliyu et al, 2014;Oladoyinbo & Ekerette, 2015;Ukegbu et al, 2015;Attah et al, 2016;Agwu et al, 2017;Maduka et al, 2017;Okafor et al, 2018;Obasi et al, 2019). The highest prevalence of overweight was recorded in the Eastern part (Okafor et al, 2018) while the least was in the Northern part (Aliyu et al, 2014) of the country. The highest and lowest prevalence of obesity on the other hand was recorded in the Western Nigeria (Olusanya & Omotayo, 2011;Olufemi & Abiodun, 2013;Oladoyinbo & Ekerette, 2015).…”

“…Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and it has been associated with overweight and obesity (Niba et al, 2017;Arisa et al, 2020). Regular skipping of breakfast may open door for excessive consumption of calories in terms 20,000-29,000 39 (18.1) 14 (33.3) 3 (42.9) 1 (100.0) 30,000-39,000 14 (6.5) 1 (2.4) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 12.127 0.029 Above 40,000 68 (31.5) 9 (21.4) 2 (28.6) 0 (0.0) P < 0.05 of snacking and over consumption of food which may lay the foundation of overweight and obesity (Okafor et al, 2018). The skipping of meals by these students might be due to economic reason whereby two third of them received monthly allowance below ₦30,000.00…”