An Assessment of Dietary Choices Among University Students in Nasarawa State
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- NGN 5000
Background of the Study:
University students represent a unique demographic whose dietary choices are influenced by a range of factors including academic stress, social pressures, and financial constraints. In Nasarawa State, students are increasingly exposed to fast food, energy-dense snacks, and beverages due to their convenience and affordability. Traditional, balanced diets are often replaced by processed foods that are low in nutritional value (Okeke, 2023). The shift in dietary patterns among university students is a growing concern, as it contributes to nutritional deficiencies, obesity, and increased risk of chronic diseases. Factors such as peer influence, lack of nutritional education, and limited access to healthy food options on campus further exacerbate this issue (Aminu, 2024).
The transition from a structured family environment to the more independent lifestyle of university life often results in significant changes in eating behavior. Students may prioritize convenience over nutrition, leading to irregular meal patterns and reliance on unhealthy snacks. The cumulative effect of these dietary choices can have long-term consequences on academic performance, overall health, and future lifestyle habits. Recent research emphasizes the importance of targeted nutritional interventions and educational programs within university settings to promote healthier eating behaviors (Ibrahim, 2025). This study aims to assess the dietary choices of university students in Nasarawa State and evaluate the impact of these choices on their health outcomes, with the goal of informing policy recommendations for improving campus food environments and nutritional literacy.
Statement of the Problem:
In Nasarawa State, university students are increasingly adopting unhealthy dietary habits that may predispose them to long-term health issues. The prevalence of fast food consumption and low intake of nutrient-rich foods among students contributes to a rise in obesity, nutritional deficiencies, and other diet-related disorders (Umar, 2023). The pressure of academic life, combined with limited financial resources, often leads students to choose inexpensive, processed food options over healthier alternatives. Moreover, the lack of accessible nutritional education and healthy food options on university campuses further exacerbates the problem. As these dietary habits develop during the formative years of university life, they have the potential to persist into adulthood, thereby impacting overall public health. The absence of effective campus-based nutritional interventions in Nasarawa State highlights the need for a systematic assessment of students’ dietary choices and the associated health outcomes. This study aims to bridge this gap by evaluating the dietary patterns among university students and providing recommendations to foster healthier eating behaviors.
Objectives of the Study:
- To assess the dietary habits of university students in Nasarawa State.
- To evaluate the association between dietary choices and health outcomes such as BMI and nutritional deficiencies.
- To recommend interventions to promote healthier dietary practices on campuses.
Research Questions:
- What are the prevailing dietary patterns among university students in Nasarawa State?
- How do these dietary choices affect nutritional and health outcomes?
- What strategies can encourage healthier eating habits among students?
Research Hypotheses:
- H1: University students with higher fast food consumption exhibit greater nutritional deficiencies.
- H2: Poor dietary choices are significantly associated with higher BMI and related health issues.
- H3: Campus-based nutritional education programs will improve dietary choices.
Scope and Limitations of the Study:
The study focuses on selected universities in Nasarawa State. Limitations include reliance on self-reported dietary data and potential variability in campus food environments.
Definitions of Terms:
- Dietary Choices: The patterns of food consumption adopted by individuals.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Inadequate intake of essential nutrients.
- BMI: Body Mass Index, a measure of body fat based on height and weight.
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