Assessment of Food Expenditure Pattern and Nutritional Status among Adults in Agro-Ecological Zones of Nigeria

1Oke, Folasade O.,1Akerele, Dare; 1Obayelu, Abiodun E,1Dipeolu, Adewale O.,2Afolabi, Wasiu A.&1Adegbite, Dorcas A.

Authors

1Oke, Folasade O.,1Akerele, Dare; 1Obayelu, Abiodun E,1Dipeolu, Adewale O.,2Afolabi, Wasiu A.&1Adegbite, Dorcas A. 1Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. 2 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Author

Abstract

This study examined the pattern of food expenditure and nutritional status among adults in agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. Specifically, the study determined socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, food expenditure patterns and nutritional status. Survey design was adopted for the study. The population composed of all male and female adults aged 18 years and above in the household across the six agro-ecological zones in Nigeria. Data were collected using questionnaire. Nutritional status was determined using Body Mass Index (BMI) which was calculated from anthropometric measurements. Food expenditure was measured through per capita monthly expenditure on food. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages and chi-square. Findings show that more than two-third (67.3%) were male while 32.7 percent were female. Nutritional status revealed that overweight condition was greater (18.1%) among male than female (9.8%) while obesity was higher (13.8%) among female than male (6.9%) across all the zones. Age group of 31- 60 years were overweight (20.5%) and obese (16.5%) than others. Food expenditure patterns revealed higher percapita monthly food expenditure on meat (N3,000.00), dairy products (N2, 200.28), refined grains (N2,000.00) and fat and oil (N1,880.90) whereas lower expenditure was recorded on fruit and vegetables (N290.57) for obese adults than underweight, normal weight and overweight adults. Normal weight adults spend more money on diet rich in fruit and vegetable than overweight or obese adults, therefore, nutrition education with focus on fruit and vegetable consumption is advocated.