ABSTRACT

Lipids are considered one of the most elemental nutrients for humans. Lipid metabolism generates many bioactive lipid molecules, which are fundamental mediators of multiple signaling pathways and they are also indispensable compounds of cell membranes. This studs’ assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice/perception of household fat and oil consumption among w omen in Umuahia South Local government area ofAbia State. Cross sectional survey research design was adopted for the study. Multi-stage sampling techniques was used to select 150 women that participated in the study. Data was obtained with the use of a well-structured and validated questionnaire and the data obtained was analyzed with the use of statistical package service software (SPSS) version 23.0. The result was presented in frequency tables, percentages, mean and standard deviation. findings ofthe study showed that higher percentages ofthe women were aged between 31- 35years of age. 85.3% of them were Christians and 52.0% of the women were from household size of4-6pcrsons. Less than (44.7%) ofthe women had tertiary education and 46.7% ofthem were civil servants. Highest percentage (29.3%) ofthe women earn between N61. 000 - N90. 000 as monthly income. Furthermore, higher percentage (44.7%) of the women had excellent knowledge, 28.0% of them had good knowledge, 25.3% had fair knowledge and 2.0% of them had poor knowledge of fat and oil consumption. Majority (81.3%) ofthe women had positive attitude offal and oil consumption while 18.7% ofthe women had negative attitude towards fat and oil consumption. The result of this study further revealed that all the women utilize fat and oil in preparing food for the family, 50.7% of the women utilized butter as fat and 35.3% utilized palm oil as their oil, 40.0% ofthe women utilized fat and oil every day and 54.7% ofthe women utilized vegetable oil to fry their meat and fish, few (8.7%, 7.3% and 22.7%) of the women consume mustard oil. peanut oil and rice bran oil daily while more than half (78.0%, 72.0%, 63.3% and 60.7%; of the women consume palm oil, vegetable oil, olive oil and soya bean oil respectively. Based on the findings ofthe study, it is therefore recommended to nutritionist to keep educating the general populace on the implication of much consumption of unhealthy fat and oil products