ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to assess the dietary habits and nutrition education activities of secondary school students in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State. The study was carried out in six study centers in Aba South urban areas. Two hundred and eight students were used for the study (males and females).Background characteristics and other information were determined using well structured questionnaire. Dietary habits were assessed using a structured questionnaire on dietary feeding, food preferences and consumption of fruits and vegetables. Nutrition knowledge of the respondents was assessed based on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) using 10 general nutrition knowledge questions, 10 questions on nutrition attitude and 10 questions on nutrition practices. Their participation in nutrition education activities was also assessed. Results indicate that the respondents (61.1%) were 16-18 years while 33.2% were within the age bracket of 13-15 years. On the dietary habits of the respondents, (71.6%) of the students ate 3 times daily and 16.8% of them ate 4 times daily. Majority (87.0%) of the students ate food based on availability of food. Very few of the students (16.8%) skipped their meals and they mostly skipped lunch (65.7%) while only a few (34.3%) skipped breakfast. All (100%) of the students consumed snacks and the snack consumed most was biscuits (87.5%). The result on consumption of fruits and vegetables revealed that more than half (61.1%) of the students consumed fruits at least 2 times weekly and slightly above half (55.3%) of the students consumed vegetables at least 3 times weekly. Food preference result showed that majority (92.3%) of the students preferred rice as opposed to cassava. The overall nutrition knowledge grade of the students showed that almost half (45.7%) of the students had average nutritional knowledge while only (27.4%) of the students had good nutrition knowledge while the overall attitude rating showed that many of the students (83.6%) had positive attitude towards nutrition. Their nutrition practices showed that almost half (44.7%) of the students always wash their vegetables before cutting them while (44.2%) of the students either wash before or after cutting. Forty percent of the students consume carbonated drinks regularly while (44.7%) consume carbonated drinks sometimes. This study further revealed that slightly above half (51.0%) of the students brushed their teeth twice a day, (72.1%) of the students brushed with toothbrush and toothpaste while (72.1%) of them only change their toothbrush when it gets old. Based on their participation in nutrition education activities, all (100%) the students had a subject or course on food and nutrition in their schools which also include home economics. About sixty percent of the students were exposed to cooking/practical demonstrations, (33.7%) participated in nutrition role plays while very few of the respondents (5.8%) were involved in nutrition presentations. Majority (94.2%) of the students had engaged in home gardening. In conclusion, this study shows that most secondary school students consume snacks and that a fraction of secondary school students participate in nutrition education activities which had affected their eating or dietary habit mostly in the reduction of meal skipping.