ABSTRACT

The study investigated the food habits and nutritional status of University students in the South Eastern states of Nigeria. The questionnaires, 24-hour dietary recall, anthropometry and weighed food intake were used for the study. Nutrient content of foods eaten by the students was determined using food composition table and chemical' analysis of foods. Result of the study showed that majority of the students (41.6% 38.2%, 58.9% and 46.4%) in University of Port Harcourt, University of Calabar, Nnamdi Azikwe University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, respectively obtained their foods from restaurnts/cafeteria within the school. In all the schools studied, majority (57.2%, 59.8%, 63.8% and 67.3%) in University of Port Harcourt, Universit of Calabar, Nnamdi Azikwe University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike reported that availability of money determined :he food they ate. Majority of the students (53.5%, 60.4%, 55.3% and 36.1%) in University of Port Harcourt, University of Calabar, Nnamdi A:ikiwe University and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, respectively reported that they ate two times daily. Lunch was the meat most often missed in University of Port Harcourt, University of Calab::r, Nnamdi Umudike and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture UmL.dike, respectively. The reason given for missing meals in all the sch, ols studied was lack of time. Nutrition education was recommended for z the students in all the schools.