INFLUENCE OF NUTRITIONAL PATTERN ON THE HEALTH STATUS OF UNDERGRADUATES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to investigate the link between the nutritional pattern of undergraduates of the university of Benin and their health status. The population of the study consisted of full-time undergraduate students with a total population of 44,140 students across the 15 faculties in the University of Benin. One hundred and fifty (150) students were randomly selected for the study. A descriptive survey research design and simple random technique were used to select the subjects for the study. The questionnaire instrument which had four research questions guided the study and was used in the data analysis. The results of the study showed that undergraduates of the university of Benin had a poor nutritional pattern and that the nutritional pattern of the undergraduates of the university of Benin had less impact on their health status. It was also discovered that the undergraduates of the university of Benin were quite healthy. Based on the findings of this study: there is a need to imbibe nutrition education into the GST curriculum so that students are enlightened on the essence of healthy nutrition. Also, the university administration should ensure that there are healthy food options for students within the campus and that these food options are always available and affordable.