ABSTRACT

This study examined the food environment, snacking behavior and the anthropometric status of secondary school students in Umuahia South Local Government area of Abia state. Data collection was done using a closed ended questionnaire. The questionnaire was used to collect information on their socio-economic characteristics, family structure of the respondents and food consumption pattern. The BMI of the students were also determined. Food frequency questionnaire was administered to obtain quantities and frequency of snack consumption. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed, recovered and analysed, using SPSS version 22. Thirty-three percent (33%) of the respondents were in SSI, SS2, and SS3 respectively. More than half (59.6%) of the respondents had a family size between 4 to 6 persons. Half (50.5%) of the respondents' fathers were civil servants and 38% of their mothers were civil servants. A majority of their fathers (75.8%) and mothers (76.0%) have tertiary education. Most (68.3%) of the respondents had canteens in their schools and more than half (52.5%) ofthe respondents reported that confectioners are available in their school. Forty percent (40%) of the respondents reported that the food outlets in the school are very accessible and 33.0% reported that the quality offood provided was fair. A majority (79.3%) ofthe respondents reported that they had 3 meals a day at home. About 34% ofthe respondents reported that food was sometimes (1-2 times) served with fruits at home weekly. More than half (51.3%) of the respondents reported that food was rarely served with dessert and most (63.3%) of the respondents reported that baked foods (meat pie, cakes, cookies) were readily available at home. Most (60.8) of the respondents reported that their mothers prepared most of the meals served at home. A majority (75.5%) of the respondents reported that it is important for them to eat at home. Almost half (48%) of the respondents reported that they are not influenced by advertisements. More than half (53.8%) reported that their snacking choice is influenced by spontaneous appeal and 36% reported that they buy food based on what is close to them. Twenty-nine percent (29.0%) ofthe respondents always (daily) eat sausage rolls and 30.0% ofthe respondents often (3- 4 times weekly) consume soft drinks. About 31.8% of the respondents always consume noodles and pasta. Less than half (40.5%) ofthe respondents always consume fruits and 37.5% of the respondents always consume vegetables. The majority (86.8%) of the respondents had normal BMI for their age and 85.3% of the respondents had the normal height for their age. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) between the BMI status ofthe respondents and their frequency of consuming soft drinks. The result also revealed a significant difference (P<0.05) between food environment and snacking behavior of secondary school students. This implies that their spontaneous appeal of a food is influenced by the food outlets around them