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%) of the
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 tire 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%) of the 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>
CHISOM, S (2024). Food Environment, Snacking Behaviour And Anthropometric Status Of Secondary School Students In Umuahia South Local Government Area, Abia State:- Opara, Chisom S.. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Nov 10, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/food-environment-snacking-behaviour-and-anthropometric-status-of-secondary-school-students-in-umuahia-south-local-government-area-abia-state-opara-chisom-s-7-2
SUFFICIENT, CHISOM. "Food Environment, Snacking Behaviour And Anthropometric Status Of Secondary School Students In Umuahia South Local Government Area, Abia State:- Opara, Chisom S." Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 09 Oct. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/food-environment-snacking-behaviour-and-anthropometric-status-of-secondary-school-students-in-umuahia-south-local-government-area-abia-state-opara-chisom-s-7-2. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.
SUFFICIENT, CHISOM. "Food Environment, Snacking Behaviour And Anthropometric Status Of Secondary School Students In Umuahia South Local Government Area, Abia State:- Opara, Chisom S.". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 09 Oct. 2024. Web. 10 Nov. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/food-environment-snacking-behaviour-and-anthropometric-status-of-secondary-school-students-in-umuahia-south-local-government-area-abia-state-opara-chisom-s-7-2 >.
SUFFICIENT, CHISOM. "Food Environment, Snacking Behaviour And Anthropometric Status Of Secondary School Students In Umuahia South Local Government Area, Abia State:- Opara, Chisom S." Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2024). Accessed 10 Nov. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/food-environment-snacking-behaviour-and-anthropometric-status-of-secondary-school-students-in-umuahia-south-local-government-area-abia-state-opara-chisom-s-7-2