NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND DIETARY HABITS OF WOMEN UNDER 30-60 YEARS OF AGE IN ARIARIA INTERNATIONAL MARKET ABA, ABIA STATE

Abstract

The nutritional status of an individual is the outcome of a complex interaction between inherited genetic potential and environmental factor. The nutritional status of a people is also to be a sensitive indicator of their overall level of development as a people. The cross-sectional study was undertaken at Ariaria International market and involved 240 women. By using a questionnaire socio-demographic characteristics and market activities of respondents were recorded. Anthropometric measurement were used to assess the body mass index (BMI). Food frequency questionnaire was used to obtain information on the frequency of consumption of foods. One third of the women had chromic disease which is arthritis (24.6) that come as result of overweight and obesity and too much sitting down. Green leafy vegetables (28.3%) beverages (33.3%), snacks (28.8%), root and tubers (27.1%) and milk and meat product were the main food groups consumed at least daily. BMI classification showed that 22.9% and 33.3% were overweight and obesesed, respectively. Large percentage of the women don’t drink alcohol (79.2%) while other drink alcohol. Prevalence of obesity was hug. Awareness campaigns on need for regular exercise should be emphasized in the market.

Keywords: nutritional status, market activities, dietary habits, BMI, women.

DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/92-07

Publication date: December 31^st 2019