What Nigerian Female University Students Don't Know About Nutrition
Explore the ResearchImagine facing a crucial test every day—one that could determine your long-term health prospects—without ever having been taught the subject. For thousands of young Nigerian women navigating university life, this is their reality when it comes to nutrition. As they juggle academic pressures, social lives, and newfound independence, their daily dietary choices may be quietly shaping their future health in ways they scarcely understand.
Average Nutrition Knowledge Score
Daily Vegetable Consumption
Recognized Diet-Cancer Connection
Recent research has begun to spotlight a concerning gap in nutrition knowledge among young Nigerian adults, particularly those studying non-biological sciences. Without the foundation of biological science education, these students may lack the fundamental understanding needed to make informed decisions about their diet and health. This knowledge gap takes on added significance in a country where nutrition-related diseases are increasingly prevalent, and where young women often become nutritional gatekeepers for their future families.
At its core, nutrition knowledge encompasses more than just knowing which foods are "healthy" or "unhealthy." It includes understanding how different nutrients affect the body, recognizing appropriate portion sizes, knowing how to prepare balanced meals, and understanding the relationship between diet and disease prevention 1 .
The Theory of Planned Behavior, a conceptual framework often used in nutrition research, suggests that knowledge alone doesn't necessarily translate to behavioral change 9 . Attitudes, social norms, and perceived control all play critical roles in determining whether knowledge will be put into practice.
In Nigeria, the nutrition situation presents what experts call the "triple burden of malnutrition"—the coexistence of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight/obesity within the same population 1 .
Dietary patterns among Nigerian youth are characterized by high consumption of cereals, grains, and starchy foods, coupled with low animal proteins, frequent fast food consumption with soft drinks, and limited intake of fruits and vegetables 1 .
To better understand the nutrition knowledge landscape among Nigerian university students, researchers designed a comprehensive study focusing on female students who had completed at least their first year at a private university in Rivers State.
The research team employed both descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze the collected data. Frequency distributions and means were calculated for knowledge, attitude, and practice scores. Correlation analyses examined relationships between demographic factors and nutrition knowledge, while regression models helped identify predictors of dietary behaviors.
The study revealed significant gaps in fundamental nutrition knowledge among the participants. When tested on basic nutrition concepts, the average score was just 58%, with particularly low performance on questions related to micronutrient functions and diet-disease relationships.
The study uncovered a puzzling disconnect between attitudes and behaviors that echoes findings from research on young adults in other countries 2 9 .
This attitude-behavior gap appears to be influenced by multiple factors, including time constraints, limited budgets, peer influence, and the easy availability of unhealthy options on and around campus—barriers that mirror those identified in studies of college students in the United States 2 .
The food frequency questionnaires revealed dietary patterns heavily skewed toward energy-dense but nutrient-poor foods.
Nutrition research relies on a variety of tools and methodologies to accurately assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices.
Assesses habitual dietary intake over a specific period. Captures pattern rather than single-day intake.
Detailed assessment of all foods/beverages consumed in previous 24 hours. Provides quantitative data on recent intake.
Evaluates understanding of nutrition concepts. Can target specific knowledge domains.
Measures beliefs and perceptions about healthy eating. Reveals motivational factors.
Assesses nutritional status through body measurements. Provides objective health indicators.
Like all research, this study had limitations. The cross-sectional design provides a snapshot in time but cannot track how knowledge and behaviors evolve throughout students' university careers.
The reliance on self-reported data introduces the possibility of social desirability bias, where participants may overreport healthy behaviors. Additionally, the focus on a single private university limits generalizability to other educational contexts across Nigeria's diverse regions.
As Nigeria continues to navigate the complex challenge of malnutrition in all its forms, equipping young women with the knowledge and skills to make informed nutritional choices represents not just an investment in their individual health, but in the health of future generations.