ABSTRACT

This study assessed the lifestyle and anthropometric status of undergraduates in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike. A cross sectional study design was to select female and male undergraduate for this study. A simple random sampling was used to select 394 undergraduate students in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. A structured questionnaire constructed into four (4) sections was used to collect information on Socio-economic/demographic characteristics, Feeding pattern/habits lifestyle/activity pattern, anthropometric status including weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference was determined using standard methods. Body mass index and waist-hip ratio were calculated and all the anthropometric parameters were compared with their standard. The statistical package for service solution (SPPS Version 23) Computer programme was used to analyze the data. Chi-square test was used to determine the relationship and significance was judged at P<0.05. The result of this study revealed that breakfast consumption was prevalent as some (90.6%) and (96.2%) of male and female participants respectively while prevalence of meal skipping among students was high as (68.3%) skipped meals. Snacking prevalence was also high (93.4%) as the consumption of fruits and vegetables by students were generally low (27.9%). Smoking prevalence was low (14.0%) as many of the subjects do not smoke while alcohol consumption was high (53.6%0. Exercise was prevalent among the students as (91.3%) participated in this study. No significant association (P>0.05) existed between alcohol consumption, snacking, smoking and BMI of the students except for exercise which was significant (P<0.05) while no significant association was also observed between alcohol, exercise, snacking with their waist-hip ratio except for smoking which was significant, however no significant association existed between exercise, snacking and waist circumference except for alcohol consumption and smoking which was significant.  Further study is required in the area of the effect of lifestyle on the BMI, waist hip ratio and waist circumference of undergraduate students as this will be necessary to throw more light on the association between lifestyle and the anthropometric status of undergraduates. There should be increased awareness on the consumption of healthy snacks such as fruits and vegetables whose consumption in this study was generally low.