ABSTRACT

This work assessed the snacking behaviour and prevalence of obesity among Secondary schools and Universities students in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia state. The study employed a cross sectional study design. The sample size of this study consisted of 200 students selected from one (1) university and one (1) secondary school in the study area. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire was validated by lecturers in the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Anthropometric calculation of weight and height was taken in all students involved in the study. Data collected was analysed using frequency, percentage and Pearson correlation coefficient. This study found that the respondents have poor snacking behaviour, majority of the respondents snack healthily as their frequency of snacking both food snacks and beverages is 1-2 times a week, most of the university students considered are of good health condition. The result also shows that prevalence of obesity among the university students was 3%, the secondary school students have normal BMI which indicates that the students are of good health and the prevalence of obesity among the secondary school students was found to be 4%. In conclusion, this study has contributed to previous empirical study on the snacking behaviour of adolescents and teenagers and the prevalence of obesity. It has shown that healthy snacking among adolescents and teenagers decreases the chances of obesity. Based on the findings and conclusion of this study, this study recommended that adolescents and teenagers need health education on the benefits of good dietary practices and behaviour to achieve optimal health.