ABSTRACT
Background: Nutrition is an important factor in health and disease. Good nutrition, promotes healthy growth, survival and various stages of development. Dietary intake patterns plays a significant role in human health. Consumption of a variety of foods from various food groups (dietary diversity) has been found to be beneficial for human health. Improper and inadequate dietary intake pattern especially in women of reproductive age have resulted in the deficiency of essential nutrients especially during pregnancy and lactation.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the dietary pattern and nutritional status of women of child bearing age in Benin City.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used for this study among women of child bearing age in Benin City. A multistage sampling technique was used, to select 561 women of child bearing age. A pre-tested, structured, interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, dietary pattern, and factors associated with dietary patterns and nutritional status of women of women of child bearing age, Anthropometric measurements were also taken. Dietary diversity score was categorized into low, medium and high dietary diversity score. Data was analyzed using IBSM SPSS version 21 and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: A total of 561 women of child bearing age participated in this study. Majority of the respondents were in the age group 25 to 34 years with a median (IQR) age of 30 (18 to 36) years. The highest proportion of the respondents 556 (99.1) ate food made from grains , white roots and tubers and plantains 521(92.9), pulses 451 (80.4%), nuts and seeds 371 (66.1%), milk and milk products 431 (76.8%), other fruit 170 (30.3%), meats and poultry 546(97.3%), eggs 431 (76.8%), fish and seafood 541 (96.4%), sweets 397 (70.8%), sugar sweetened beverages 521 (92.9%), condiments and seasonings 541 (96.4 ).The proportion of the respondents 15 (2.7%) had a low dietary diversity score while 265 (47.2%) of the respondents had a medium dietary diversity score and 281 (50.1%) of the respondents had a high dietary diversity score. Two hundred and thirty eight (42.4%) respondents and 481 (85.7%) of the respondents had normal weight and a normal waist and hip ratio respectively. Twenty five (71.4%) of the respondents who were in the age group of 45-49 had a high dietary diversity score compared with respondents 55(29.6%) in the age group of 15-24. It was statistically significant p<0.001. One hundred and forty five (63.0%) of those who were married had high dietary diversity score compared with 136(41.1%) who were not married and this was statiscally significant, p<0.001.One hundred and twenty five (65.8%) respondents in the monogamous family type had a high dietary diversity score, compared to respondents in the polygamous family type 25(62.5%), it was not statistically significant, p=0.228.
The proportion of the respondents 137(73.7%) in the age group 15-24 had normal BMI compared to respondents 15(10.4%) of the age group 35-44 who had normal BMI.. It was statistically significant, p<0.001. Respondents who were not married 203(61.3%) had normal BMI compared to those who were married 35(15.2%), 82 (24.8%) respondents who were not married were overweight compared to 95(41.3%) who were married. Twenty one (6.3%) respondents who were not married were obese compared to 90(39.1%) who were married. It was statistically significant, p<0.001. This study was statistically significant (p<0.001) between dietary diversity score and BMI.
Conclusion: In conclusion, majority of the study respondents had high dietary diversity score. Dietary diversity is vital to improving intake of necessary nutrients. Over half of the respondents had normal WHR while less than half had normal BMI. Age, marital status, employment status, presence of garden, highest level of education, and monthly income showed significant association with WHR.
