ABSTRACT

This cross sectional study was carried out to evaluate the lifestyle and nutritional status of

technicians in Ohiya Mechanic Village Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia

State. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 264 technicians for the

study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-

economic/demographic and lifestyle characteristics of the respondents. Anthropometric

indices (weight, height, waist circumference and hip circumference) were obtained using

standard methods. The statistical package for service solution (SPSS version 20) software

was used to analyze the data collected. The results were presented as frequencies,

percentages, mean±standard deviation and chi square was used to determine the effect of

socio-economic characteristics on the nutritional status of the respondents. A vast

majority (97.0%) of the technicians were male while few (3.0) were female. A little

above half (50.4%) were married and about 45.8% were from a household size of 4-6

persons, and 75.0% had secondary education. Some 58.0% of the technicians had no

additional occupation, with below half (48.5%) earning N60, 000 and above. Almost all

the technicians (90.9%) consume homemade meals, 88.3% snacked in-between meals,

although 87.5% consumed carbonated drinks and salted foods. About 76.1% claimed that

their job involved much physical exercise, while 73.1% feel motivated to exercise and

64.8% exercised for thirty- minutes 1-2 days in a week. Also, a good number (8 1.8%) of

the technicians-do not smoke cigarette. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among

the technicians were 52.3% and 20.2% whereas 27.7% were obese. Results showed that

no significant association existed between the number of meals eaten in a day and the

nutritional status of the technicians (X2= 9.969, P>0.05) and also, a significant

relationship existed between sex, age, marital status and nutritional status of the

technicians (X2= 17.141, p=O.O0), (X2=136.724,p0.Ol) and (X2=26.350, p=O.00). The

prevalence of overweight was high in this study. Awareness campaigns and health

education to promote healthy dietary and lifestyle practices, especially among high risk

groups is suggested.