ABSTRACT

The problem ofmalnutrition among secondary school students poses a great challenge to the health sector, government and the world at large. The objective ofthe study was to assess the determinants ofthe feeding practices and anthropometric status of secondary school students in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 242 students for the research. This was done by determining the total number ofsecondary schools in Obowo Local Government Area. A purposive sample of two schools was drawn from the seven secondary schools, which were more populated and at the centre ofthe Local Government Area. A validated questionnaire was used to obtain information on the feeding practices and the determinants offeeding practices ofthe students. The anthropometric data (weight and height) was used to obtain the body mass index ofthe students. Waist circumference and hip circumference was used to obtain waist-hip ratio of the students. Body mass index was calculated as the relationship of weight in kg to height in meters squared The Statistical Package for Service Solution (SPSS version 23) was used to analyze the data. Result revealed that, 56.2% males, 43.8% females, age 10-19 years.58.7% were in junior class, 41.3% were in senior class. 26.9%, 56.6%, 16.9% had 1-3, 4-6 and 7-9 siblings respectively. 94.2% were Christians, 39.5% had borehole as their primary source ofwater and 55.6% had water closet system as toilet facility. 44% had secondary education and 4.5% had no formal education. 11.7% and 8.3% of fathers and mothers were unemployed and 40.9% earned less than #10000 monthly. Feeding practice was mainly skipping of meals (55.8%) and reason for skipping meal was lack of appetite (53.3%). Affordability (69.8%), culture (39.3%), food availability (39.1%) were the major determinants of feeding practice. 44.2% were underweight, 52.5% had normal weight, 2.1% were overweight and 1.2% had morbid obesity. Availability of food had significant relationship with WHR (r=.173*; p<.05). Adolescents had poor feeding practices which includes skipping of meals and eating outside the home. Nutrition education should be treated as a core subject in both primary and secondary school.