ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional status and body composition of rural farmers in Osisioma Ngwa L.G.A of Abia State. Body mass index(BMI) was used to determine underweight, overweight and obese individuals among the study group. The major objective of the study was to determine dietary intake of farmers, compare it with their nutritional status and suggest improvement measures. A total of four hundred and fifty (450) farmers were used for the study and a well-structured questionnaire was used to collect information dietary pattern of farmers. Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) were used for data analysis. Results shows that 12% of the farmers were underweight, 26% was overweight and 3% was obese. Results on dietary practices showed that less than half (45%) of the farmer’s source of nutrition information came from the community health workers. Large number of the population (65%) reported a poor feeding practice and 76.4% skipped meals, which is an unhealthy nutritional practice. Majority (84.7%) also indicated not to have enough resources for family feeding. The result on farming activity revealed majority (86%) practiced crop farming with cassava (48.4%), garden egg (46.8%), maize/Oka (46.8%) and pumpkin/Ugu (37.5%) as the most farm produce of income. The research also showed a high underweight (72.8%) cases among those who indicated to consumed less than three meals daily. On food frequency, bread, rice and maize was the most consumed cereal and garri/fufu topped the most consumed root and tuber food produce. Seasonal variation affected fruit consumption with paw-paw (65.7%), orange (48.5%) and mango (55.0%) being the most consumed fruits. Based on the findings, enhanced improved food production technologies in line with complementary practices in order to raise their current level of food production and family consumption. Efforts should be concentrated on the prevention and control of malnutrition especially among the rural dwellers which should include healthy eating habits and food choices. Farming should be treated as a priority especially among the youths as urbanization has greatly reduced the youth’s participation in farming.