ABSTRACT

The study determined the dietary pattern and anthropometric measurement of undergraduate students in Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State. The specific objectives were to determine the socio demographic data of the respondents, determine various anthropometric measurements of the respondents (Weight, Height and BMI), determine the usual dietary pattern of the respondents using Food Frequency Questionnaires, assess the dietary intake using the 24 hour dietary recall questionnaire and evaluate the relationship between their feeding habit and the anthropometric status of the respondents. The study employed the use of descriptive survey design. The sample for the study was 382 drawn from the population of all undergraduate University students of Abia State University, Uturu, Abia extension campus, Umuahia Abia State. The study used a structured questionnaire accompanied with Anthropometric measurement to obtain data for the weight and height of ABSU undergraduate. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Correlation analysis. The present study revealed that 3.66% of the undergraduates used in the study were underweight, 17.2% had normal weight while 42.6% were overweight and 36.3% of the respondents were obesed. The result also revealed 25% of men are at moderate risk of obesity with while 38.7% of females are at moderate risk. Result indicated that 58.6% of the respondents skip meals at one point of the day. The most commonly consumed staple cereal was maize (85%), followed by bread and spaghetti (84%). The other sources of starch in their daily diet were yam, fufu, garri and rice (84%). The commonly consumed vegetables were; fluted pumpkin (ugu), onions, tomatoes, spinaches cabbage, bitter, okro and carrots leaf (89.2%). The study among others recommended education should be given to all on strategies to promote the intake of high biological value proteins so as to avoid risk of malnutrition amongst undergraduate and also inclusion of lessons on healthy eating and optimal dietary practices (with practical aspects) in the curriculum of all undergraduate.