Assessment of anthropometric status and food habits of a private university students in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Poor nutritional and lifestyle practices in adolescents predispose them to ill-health or decreased health.

Objective: This study assessed the anthropometric status and food habits of private university students in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Methods: A total of 340 students, aged 16-25years were selected from all the six colleges in the university, relevant information on socio economic and demographic data, anthropometric status and food habits were collected using structured questionnaires. Data from the questionnaire were analyzed using frequency count, means and percentages while the anthropometric indices derived were compared with the WHO reference standards for the age group.

Results: The results revealed that71.5% of the students were male and 28.5% were female. Less than half (20.9%) of the students had N 5,000 - 10,000 monthly allowance. Majority (94.4%) did not take inbetween meals, while 94.1% skipped breakfast which was attributed to attendance of morning lectures. The intake of processed foods on daily basis was seen in (58.5%) while fruits and vegetable intake was poor in 67.6%. About 57% were within the normal (18.5 - 24.9kg/m2 ), BMI 26.2% were overweight (25.0 - 29.9 kg/m2 ), less than 5% were obese, 47.4% of the female students were at high risk of abdominal obesity with value range of 0.78-0.83 and 11.5% of the male had value range of 0.89-0.94.

Conclusion: About half of thestudents had normal BMI however, their food habit indicated regular skipping of breakfast. Nutrition education is recommended as a general study program of the university.

Keywords: Anthropometric status, food habits, private university students