FOOD CONSUMPTION PATTERN AND MICRO NUTRIENT INTAKE OF MOTHERS IN IMO STATE.

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to assess the food consumption pattern and micronutrient Intake of mothers in Ojo Local Government Area in Lagos State. One hundred and eighty respondents were selected randomly. Data was collected using food frequency and anthropometric data such as height, weight and body mass index. Other date collected include the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the respondents. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis such as frequency count, percentage and mean.

Using the BMI classification, 48.2% of the subjects are within the normal range 6.5% are mildly malnourished while 1.2% of the population is severely malnourished. Based on findings on their food habits majority of the women eat three times a day, and also eat between meals 55% include fruits in their daily diet, 18.9% eat vitamin A rich foods once in a week and 30.6% take vitamin and iron supplements regularly. 74% consume animal protein once in a day, and 39% occasionally. The results of the study indicate that the food intake of mothers in Ojo Local Government area is satisfactory but their micro nutrient intake was not sufficient.