AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE DIET QUALITY OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS IN RELATION TO THEIR FOOD ENVIRONMENT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

The dietary habits and nutritional status of college students are of utmost importance as they significantly influence their overall health, general welfare, and academic performance. renowned for its outstanding academic standards, the University of Ibadan has a diverse student population within its campus community. Within this cohort of students, the residents of Agbowo village constitute a distinct group whose dietary patterns may be influenced by many factors linked to their immediate food environment (Chinyoka and Naidu, 2019).  Understanding the nutritional status of undergraduate students residing in the Agbowo community is crucial for the following reasons. The transitional phase from adolescence to early adulthood, which coincides with the university years, often involves significant changes in lifestyle and dietary habits. Several variables, such as increased autonomy, time constraints, and economic restrictions, may impact the food choices and consumption patterns of students. Moreover, the university environment, characterised by a unique convergence of academic requirements, social commitments, and extracurricular activities, presents both opportunities and challenges regarding dietary practices (Chinyoka and Naidu, 2019).  Moreover, the Agbowo neighbourhood, distinguished by its diverse culinary landscape including many eateries, food vendors, and markets, greatly impacts the food choices and accessibility of students.Despite the substantial influence of food quality on student health and academic performance, there is a dearth of research specifically examining the dietary patterns of undergraduate students at the University of Ibadan, particularly those residing in the Agbowo area. The existing literature often focusses on broad dietary patterns or specific health outcomes, disregarding the intricate interplay between individual dietary choices and the surrounding food environment.  According to the EFA Global Monitoring Report (UNESCO 2022), a substantial percentage of children in sub-Saharan Africa, namely more than 25%, suffer from underweight conditions caused by insufficient food intake and malnutrition. Such circumstances make people more susceptible to sickness and reduce their capacity to focus in an educational environment. Ecker and Nene (2020) define malnutrition as a persistent syndrome resulting from either an excessive or insufficient intake of vital macro or micro nutrients in accordance with an individual's physiological and pathological needs.Insufficient food intake is a potentially life-threatening disorder characterised by inadequate amounts of vital nutrients necessary for normal physiological functioning. Both inadequate food consumption and an imbalanced dietary pattern marked by shortages in one or more vital components may contribute to unsatisfactory nutritional status (Chinyoka & Naidu, 2019). 

Nabarro et al. (2017) propose that children who do not consume the necessary daily amounts of essential minerals, such as calcium, potassium, and vitamin C, may experience constraints in their academic achievements. In a research done by Connell (2016), it was shown that just 14 percent of infants born with a normal weight showed similar results to those born with a low birth weight. Moreover, it was noted that 34 percent of infants born with a low birth weight are mandated to repeat courses or be placed in special education programmes.  A study conducted by Duncan et al. (2018) revealed that inadequate nutrition leading to low birth weight might potentially contribute to increased rates of grade repeat. By gaining a more thorough understanding of the possible consequences of dietary deficits on academic achievement, families may improve their ability to provide sufficient nourishment for their children.  This discovery highlights the utmost significance of sufficient nutrition in conjunction with the academic performance of seventh-grade students. Shrestha and Pathak (2021) and Brauw et al. (2017) have proposed that in the past, it was widely believed that underfeeding in children was the only cause of sustained structural damage to the brain, which in turn impeded cognitive development. The cerebral cortex undergoes accelerated development throughout the first three years of a child's life. This phenomena is characterised by the formation of neurones, the synaptogenesis process, the differentiation of axons and dendrites, and the pruning of synapses. Based on the findings of Orazem et al. (2017), each of these stages relies on the previous one.  Instances of any disturbance in this physiological process, such as trauma, stress, undernutrition, or nutritional deficiencies, might possibly lead to long-lasting effects not only on the structure of the brain, but also on the social-emotional growth and academic performance of the kid. Accordingly, empirical studies have shown that childhood malnutrition may negatively impact an individual's cognitive development in adulthood (Lacour & Tissington, 2019). The information presented above clearly indicates that children of all age groups should be protected against malnutrition because of its harmful impact on their academic performance and overall development. Therefore this study assess diet quality of undergraduate students of the University of Lagos in relation to their food environment

Statement of the problem

Notwithstanding the substantial commitment shown in the context of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other associated initiatives, it is likely that a major number of developing countries, including Nigeria, would have difficulties in achieving their dietary targets. The main reason for this is the significant discrepancy noted in the nutritional achievements across various nations (Stevens et al., 2021). The dietary habits shown by undergraduate students have a substantial influence on their overall welfare and academic performance. The present understanding of the nutritional quality of undergraduate students, particularly at the University of Ibadan, is not comprehensive (Stevens et al., 2021). Given the growing concerns about health issues associated with nutrition, such as obesity, malnutrition, and other non-communicable diseases, there is a lack of systematic study that explicitly investigates the dietary patterns and nutritional condition of this specific population.  Hence, the need to assess diet quality of undergraduate students of The University of Lagos  in relation to Their Food Environment

Objective of the study

The broad objective of the study assesses of diet quality of undergraduate students of the University of Lagos in relation to Their Food Environment. The specific objectives is as follows:

To assess the level of quality diet undergraduate students in the University of Lagos  consume

To identify factors influencing the diet quality of undergraduate students

To propose recommendations for improving the diet quality and overall nutritional health of undergraduate students at the University of Lagos .

Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared to guide the study

What is the level of quality diet undergraduate students of the University of Lagos  consume?

What are the  factors influencing the diet quality of undergraduate students?

What are the  strategies for improving the diet quality and overall nutritional health of undergraduate students at the University of Lagos ?

Significance of the study

The findings of the study will be significant to the following

University Policy and Programming: Findings from the study can inform the development of university policies and programming aimed at promoting healthier food options on campus, implementing nutrition education initiatives, and creating supportive environments that facilitate healthy eating habits among students.

Ministry of Health: Understanding the diet quality of undergraduate students is crucial for assessing their overall health status. Poor dietary habits during this critical period can lead to various health issues such as obesity, malnutrition, and deficiencies in essential nutrients. By evaluating their diet quality, interventions can be designed to promote healthier eating habits, thus reducing the risk of chronic diseases later in life.

Academia: the study will be of benefit to the aacademia as it will contribute to the existing literature.

Scope of the study

The study focuses on assessing diet quality of undergraduate students of the University of Lagos  in relation to Their Food Environment. Empirically, the study will  assess the level of quality diet undergraduate students of the University of Lagos  consume, identify factors influencing the diet quality of undergraduate students and propose recommendations for improving the diet quality and overall nutritional health of undergraduate students at the University of Lagos. 

Geographically, the study is delimited to students in University of Lagos. 

1.7 Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint are: 

Time: The researcher encountered time constraint as the researcher had to carry out this research along side other academic activities such as attending lectures and other educational activities required of her.

Finance: The researcher incurred more financial expenses in carrying out this study such as typesetting, printing, sourcing for relevant materials, literature, or information and in the data collection process.

Availability of Materials: The researcher encountered challenges in sourcing for literature in this study. The scarcity of literature on the subject due to the nature of the discourse was a limitation to this study.

1.8 Definition of terms

Diet Quality: Refers to the overall nutritional adequacy, balance, variety, and moderation of an individual's dietary intake. It encompasses the quality and quantity of nutrients consumed relative to dietary guidelines or recommended standards.

Undergraduate Students: Individuals enrolled in academic programs at the undergraduate level, pursuing bachelor's degrees, typically within a university setting such as The University of Ibadan.