ABSTRACT

Obesity is an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that present a risk to health. A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight and over 30 is obese. This study was designed to assess the dietary pattern and prevalence of obesity among secondary school students aged 10-19years in Umuahia north local government Area, Abia State, shedding light on factors contributing to these issues. The study employed a descriptive cross sectional design. A multi- stage sampling technique was used to select 200 respondents. This study used a structured questionnaire to generate information from the respondents' dietary pattern, healthy eating habits, anthropometric characteristics, physical activity and were accessed using standard procedure and the values were compared to reference standards. The study surveyed diverse groups of secondary school students, collecting data on their socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics, healthy eating habit, dietary pattern, and physical activity levels. Dietary assessments were conducted to evaluate the nutritional content of the students' meals, and BMI was calculated to determine the prevalence of obesity among the participants. Statistical Package for Soil Science (SPSS) was used to analyze the data from the respondents and their results were represented in frequency and percentage table. The findings of the study revealed that (36.5%) of the respondents are male and (63.5%) of the respondents are female. The study revealed a complex relationship between dietary pattern and obesity among secondary school students and this was done using chi-square. The result revealed that the p-value which shows the association between BMI and meal frequency per day is (14.062%). The results also showed that the association between BMI and dietary pattern is not statistically strong. The study underscores the importance of comprehensive nutrition education and intervention programs in secondary schools to address the growing issue of obesity. By promoting healthier dietary choices and increased physical activity, educators and healthcare professionals can play a crucial role in preventing and managing obesity among secondary school students. This research provides valuable insights into the dietary patterns and prevalence of obesity among secondary school students. It serves as a foundation for future research and the development of targeted interventions to promote healthier lifestyles and combat the rising rates of obesity among this age group.