INFLUENCE OF FOOD CONSUMPTION PATTERN ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND MIDDLE AGE SPREAD OF FEMALE TEACHERS

ABSTRACT

This study examined the influence of food consumption pattern on nutritional status and middle age spread of female teachers in Delta State. Seven (7) research questions were raised and answered. Six (6) hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.5 level of significance. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised 1,555 female teachers in public secondary schools within the age bracket of 35 to 50 years in 14 schools within Oshimili North and South Local Government Areas of Delta State. The sample size of this study was 271 female teachers. The instrument for data collection were a structured questionnaire developed by the researcher and tape measure, pen and paper for recording the measurement of hip and waist ratio. The instrument was subjected to validation by the researchers’ supervisor, another expert in Home Economics Education and an expert in measurement and evaluation in the Faculty of Education, University of Benin. Reliability coefficient of the Instrument was 0.80 using Cronbach alpha statistical tool. The data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions. The formulated hypotheses were tested using t-test analysis. The findings revealed that teachers in the two local government areas mostly consumed beef jollof rice more than other types of food. The findings also revealed that female teachers of secondary schools in Oshimili South and North Local Government Areas eat 3 square meals and 2 snacks daily than other pattern of eating. Results further revealed that there is a low level of awareness about middle age spread and over nutrition among teachers of public secondary schools in Oshimili South and North local Government Area of Delta State. The finding also revealed that most of the respondents identified with the symptoms of middle age spread. The finding revealed that teachers in these local government have high Waist Hip Ratio (WHR). Apart from fainting, memory loss, breathing problem and depression, other forms of heart problems were common. Based on the findings, this study recommended among others that seminar should be orgnized by health institutions and government to bring to the awareness of female teachers in public secondary schools, and the harmful health effect of middle age spread. Also, government should employ more hands in order to reduce the work load of teachers in our secondary schools which will in turn reduce the stress of these teachers and therefore promote good eating habits. Further research should be conducted in these area to cover a wider population and incorporate other variables that might be contributing to middle age spread which are not covered in this study.