NUTRITION KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND ANTHROPOMETRIC STATUS OF MARKET WOMEN IN EHIME MBANO, IMO STATE.

Abstract

Extreme poverty impedes human development in all aspects especially with regards to nutrition and health. Women are particularly vulnerable due to low socio-economic status of majority of them. The cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the nutrition knowledge, attitude towards nutrition and anthropometric status of 400 women. Questionnaire was used to collect their basic information, nutrition knowledge and attitude to nutrition. Weight, height, waist and hip circumstances were measured and used to calculate their body mass indices and waist hip ratios. They were analyzed using WHO reference while statistical analysis was done using descriptive statistics for basic information, nutrition knowledge and attitude. Association between nutrition knowledge and anthropometric status was done using chi-test. Result showed that 37.3% of women were 30-41 years. Level of education showed that 44% had secondary education and 19.5% of them reported monthly income of #28000-32000. Nutrition knowledge scores indicated that 26.8% and 25.8% of the women had fair and good nutrition while 46.8% had poor knowledge. Attitude scores towards nutrition showed that more than half (55.5%) were at low risk while 4.5% were at high risk. Anthropometric status of the women showed that 44.5% were overweight while 18.3% were obese and 79% were at risk of cardiovascular diseases. There was positive association between nutrition knowledge scores and BMI but no association existed between nutrition knowledge and WHR. This shows that good nutrition knowledge along with the right attitude are crucial for right food choices in market places.