ABSTRACT

Antioxidant are substances that counteract the actions of free radicals in the body and assist to prevent extreme broad spectrum of disease. The study was done to elicit information on the consumption pattern of antioxidant rich foods and anthropometry of middle aged adults (45-65) in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu state. A cross sectional survey design was done involving 399 adults. Structured questionnaire, weighing scale and standiometer were the instruments used for the data collection.  Information were collected on personal and socio-economic status of the adult, knowledge of anti-oxidant rich foods, consumption pattern of antioxidant rich foods, Anthropometric status of the adult, Association between knowledge of antioxidant rich food and their consumption by the adults was done using chi-square. Also, data on the association between consumption patterns of antioxidant rich foods and anthropometric status of the adults were elicited. The anthropometric measurements were taken using standard methods and were used to calculate Body Mass Index and the Waist-Hip ratio of the adults. Data was analysed using SPSS version 21, percentages, frequency, mean and standard deviation were employed for the data analysis. Result revealed that 50.4% of the adults were males and less than half (49.4%) of them were females. Majority (75.7%) of them aged between 55-66years. More than half (59.6%) of the adults had poor knowledge of anti-oxidant rich foods while 39.6% had good knowledge on antioxidant rich foods. Few (29.1%) of the adults ate fruits (banana, grapefruit, apple) occasionally, 28.6% of the adults ate vegetables once a day and 23.1% of the adults ate animal products twice a day. The consumption of grains was highest (33.6%) among adults who ate grains once a week and 43.4% of the adults consumed food additives occasionally and 28.3% of the adults consumed beverages occasionally. Less than half (44.6%) of the males were overweight, 39.1% had normal weight, 3.5% were underweight. Close to half (40.6%) of the female adults had normal weight, 2.0% were obese and none (0%) of the them were underweight. Majority (69.5%) of the females had low risk based on their WHR and 63.4% of the males were at moderate risk group. A positive association was found between the adults’ knowledge of antioxidant rich foods and their consumption of these antioxidant rich foods (p<0.05). There was a positive association between the adults, knowledge of antioxidant rich foods and their BMI. In conclusion, the result from the study indicated that good knowledge of antioxidant rich foods is imperative for adequate intake of those important food sources and for overall good health.