ABSTRACT

As adults age, it is imperative to examine the dietary habits and other lifestyle pattern and their impact on health and nutritional status. This study was designed to assess the dietary practices, food security status and anthropometric status of academic senior staff in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive cross sectional design. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 201 respondents. This study used a structured questionnaire to generate information on the respondents’ dietary habits, food security and anthropometric characteristics was accessed using standard procedures were used and values were compared to reference standards. Descriptive and Inferential statistics (Pearson’s correlation) was done using IBM SPSS Version 25. Results on socio-demographic characteristics revealed a preponderance of female (51.5%), young adults (29-39 -62.5). They were all educated up to tertiary education level (100.0%) and a good number of them have alternative income streams (90.9%). The respondents have worked for 4-6 years (46.8%) or less (51.2%) and have about 1-3 (59.7%) household members. Results revealed that more than half (57.2%) of the respondents were females and 42.8% of them were males. Bulk (56.2%) of the senior academic staff were within the age range of 41-50 years. A good number (44.3%) of the respondents had no addition source of income. The respondents were in grade levels 5 (55.2%), six (21.9%) and seven (22.9%). Oils and fats (81.1%), spices and condiments (91.0%), fish and sea foods (68.7%), white roots and tubers (69.2%) and dark green leafy vegetables (64.2%) toppled the list of food consumed within the last 24 hours. Food security results showed that only 23.4% of the respondents were food secure, while 22.9%, 31.8%, 21.9% experienced mild, moderate and severe food insecurity. More than half (57.4%) of the respondents had normal body mass index status. A good number of them were overweight (32.4%) or obese (5.9%), with (65.4%) at risk of obesity and associated complications. Dietary diversity score was found to be positively correlated with frequency of snacking (r = 0.17*, p = 0.02), smoking (r = 0.18**, p = 0.10) and alcohol intake (r = 0.30; p = 0.00). Behaviour oriented nutrition sensitization that will improve their curb meal skipping, improve fruit and vegetable consumption should be encouraged.