Jike-Wai O, Emodi I.A, and Opurum L.C

INTODUCTIONThe study was carried out in University of

Port Harcourt (UPH) and Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST).

Nutrition is of utmost relevance in the enhancement, sustenance, and predicting of human health.

Proper and adequate nutrition as well as fruit consumption pattern has great influence on the growth and development of an individual.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The study; assessed the fruit consumption

pattern of RSUST and UPH students.

ascertained the level of nutrition knowledge of student of both schools.

assessed the nutritional status of the students

METHODOLOGY Area of Study:- Port Harcourt, Rivers

State

Sampling:- Simple Random sampling Technique

Sample Size :- 200 (100 for UPH and

RSUST respectively) Instrument for Data Collection:-

(1)Questionnaire (2) Flat Bottom Scale (3) Wooden Measuring Tape

RESULTS PRESENTATION

Table 1: Sex and Age distribution of Respondents (%)

Variable RSUST UPHSexMale 73 59Female 27 41Total 100 100Age20-25 73 7026-30 24 2531-35 2 436 and above 1 1Total 100 100

Table 2: Frequency of Fruit Consumption by Respondents (%)

Frequency RSUSTUPH

Daily 24 26Once a week 30 292-3 times a week 29

27Occasionally 17 18Never - -

Table 3: Frequency of Meal Consumption by Respondents (%)

Frequency (per day) RSUSTUPH

Once 2 2Twice 33 343 times 64 60Go without meals some days 1

1Total 100 100

Table 4: Respondents Attitude to Consuming Fruits with each meal (%)

Do you eat fruits with each meal consumedRSUST UPH

Yes 7 9Not regularly 52

51No 41

40

Table 5: Type of Snack Consumed by Respondents (%)

Snacks RSUST UPHFruits 17 17Pastry foods 60 64Rice meals 9 6Other meals 14 13

Table 6: Respondents Monthly upkeep Allowance (Naira)

Table 7: Reason for Eating Fruits (%)

Reasons RSUSTUPH

Source of vitamin and mineral 63 65

Body building 18 14Like eating fruits 7

9Prevent diseases 9

9Provides energy 3 3

Table 8: Students Response on items of Nutritional Knowledge(%)

Levels of knowledge RSUSTUPH

Excellent (70-100%) 51 46Good (50-69) 19 21Fair (40-49) 5 11Poor (0-39%) 25 22

Table 9: Respondents Frequency of Physical Exercise (%)Frequency of exercise RSUST

UPHOnce a week 7 1

Once a month 5 13Occasionally 25 11

Never 63 75

Table 10: Body Mass Index Range & Scores

BMI range RSUST UPHLess than 18.5 (underweight) 10

1218.5-24.9 (Normal) 69 68

25.0-29.9 (overweight) 1616

30.0 – 34.9 (obese I) 4 335.0-39.9 (obese II) 1 1

CONCLUSION

The study revealed that although 100% of the respondents from both institutions claimed to consume fruits at some point in the week, various forms of malnutrition exist among them as shown by the lower and higher BMI’s , despite their adequate level of nutrition knowledge. This therefore reveals the need for nutrition intervention and education program in the universities.

THANK YOU FOUR YOUR

MERITORIOUS ATTENTION