ABSTRACT

Changing disease pattern attributed to poor dietary habit and lifestyle patterns among traders worldwide lead to this topic which is lifestyles and anthropometric status of traders in Onitsha main market Anambra state, Nigeria. Data for this report was obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 400 traders which were selected using systematic sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on personal and socioeconomic characteristics, lifestyle factors, dietary pattern and anthropometric status of the traders. Data obtained from the study were subjected to statistical analysis, using statistical package for service solution (SPSS) version 20.0. The results of the different variables collected revealed that greater percentage (75.5 %) ofthe traders were within the age of 24-53 years, (61.5%) ofthem had 4-6 children and (90.5%) were from monogamous families. Highest educational qualification attained by most (61.8% and 17.2%) were secondary and primary school, respectively. One third (36.0%) earned N55,000- N66,000 naira monthly. Little above half (50.5%) drove to the market while 36.0% walked. Majority (72.2%) ofthem took part in exercise of which (57.5%) engaged in jogging, trekking and running. At leisure, (56.5%) watched television/movies. Some (53.8%) consumed alcoholic beverages and (15.5%) took three bottles daily. Almost all (81.0%) consumed soft drinks. Similarly, (16.8%) and (12.2%) were currently smoking cigarettes and marijuana, respectively. Food habit profiles of the traders showed that (56.2%) ate three times a day with (32.5%) and (24.8%) skipping breakfast and lunch. Few (14.5%) and (13.0%) ofthem took meat pie and biscuits, very few (13%) consumed fruits five times a week. More than half (53.0%) ofthe traders engaged themselves in six hours of night sleep. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was (33.8%) and (42.2%) among the traders. Greater number of women (76.3%) compared to (42.7%) ol the men counterparts were at risk of cardiovascular diseases. Age, educational levels, monthly income, additional occupation and additional income were the socioeconomic factors that significantly (p<0.05) affected the anthropometric status of the traders. Similarly, frequency of exercise and number of bottles of alcoholic beverages taken by the traders affected their anthropometric status. This shows the need for educational campaigns regarding healthier lifestyles and dietary habits among the traders.