Assessment of Eating Habits and Nutritional Status of Nursing and Midwifery Students in Ekiti State Nigeria

Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess eating habits and nutritional status of nursing and midwifery students in Ekiti State so as to identify their nutrition education need.

Study Design: The study adopted descriptive research design.

Place and Duration of Study: Samples were selected from the schools of nursing and midwifery in Ekiti State Nigeria between March and May 2016.

Methodology: 234 (127 nursing 107 midwifery) students randomly selected from the school of nursing and midwifery in Ekiti State were included in this study. Data collection was done with the aid of self-structured questionnaire containing 10 items to assess eating habits. Weight and height of respondents were also measured. Data collected were subjected to descriptive analysis of frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics of multiple linear regression using SPSS version 16. Inferences were made at 0.05 alpha level.

Results: Eating away from home (4.12 ±0.98), eating to relieve stress (4.04 ± 1.17) and snacking (4.02 ± 1.14) are the common eating habits identified. Many (61.7%) had normal weight. No significant demographic difference in respondents’ eating habit but a significant age difference in body mass index (BMI). Gender (beta weight=.163, p= .013) and student type (beta weight= -.179, p=.017) contributed significantly to eating habit . Female respondents and student nurses had better eating habit than their counterparts. BMI was significantly associated with age (beta weight= -.195, p=.018), marital status (beta weight=.172, p= .014), fruit intake (beta weight= -.164, p=.044), breakfast intake (beta weight=.160, p= .016) and eating to relieve stress (beta weight= .143, p=.033).

Conclusion: It is evident from this study that faulty eating habits are practiced by nursing/midwifery students hence appropriate nutrition education to promote healthy eating is required.