ABSTRACT

This research work investigated the factors influencing food consumption pattern of adults in Umuahia north local government area. A total of 300 respondents were randomly selected and used for the study. Information on socio-economic characteristics, food consumption pattern of traditional foods, low nutrient dense foods; fruits and vegetable; were obtain by means of questionnaire. Nutritional status was determined by ~ anthropometry. The result revealed that more than half (57.0%) of the study respondents were males, majority (98.0%) of the respondents were Christians and only 43.0% attained tertiary education. All ( I 00.0%) of the respondent consumed traditional foods, fruits and vegetables while only 77.0% consumed low nutrient dense food. Traditional foods like Okpa (Bambaranut steamed paste) and Abacha(cassava product)were consumed daily by 10.0% and 8.0% of the respondents respectively. Biscuits, meats and soft drinks were equally consumed daily by 37.7% and 16.9% of the respondent respectively. There were also daily consumption of vegetables and fruits by 64.6% and 21.0% of them respectively. Availability (41.0%) was the main factor that limited the consumption of traditional food while affordability (58.0%) limited consumption of fruits and vegetables. Convenience (53.0%) was the major factor that encourages the consumption of lownutrient dense foods. The consumption frequency of fruits and vegetable was high an encouraging than the consumption of low-nutrient dense food which was usually consumed by the respondents due to convenience. The state and federal government should provide post harvest storage technique, good road and also incentives to local farmers so as to produce and ensure availability and affordability of food.