Eating Habits, Overweight and Obesity among Nutrition Students from Molo, Karen, and Nyandarua Kenya Medical Training Colleges, Kenya
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Date
2024-10
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Globally, obesity and overweight have been on the rise among college students. In 2022, two and a half billion adults aged 18 years and above (43%) were overweight, and of these, 890 million people were obese (16%). Moreover, a prevalence of 16.5% of overweight was reported among Kenyatta University students in Nairobi, Kenya in 2024. Many factors make college students nutritionally vulnerable. There is scarcity of information on eating habits, physical activity level and the nutrition status of college students in Kenya, particularly those pursuing nutrition programmes. Therefore, this study’s purpose was to establish the environmental and individual factors, eating habits and nutrition status among nutrition students of Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC). The study adopted a mixed methods cross-sectional analytical study design that collected both quantitative and qualitative data. Two hundred and ninety three (293) third- and second-year nutrition students at Karen, Molo, and Nyandarua Campuses were randomly sampled. Content-validated, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data on social and physical environmental factors, individual factors, and eating habits. Observation checklist and Focus Group Discussion guides were also used to collect qualitative data. Eating habits was determined using dietary diversity score and meal frequency. Weight, height, waist and hip circumference measurements were collected and the weight status established using Body Mass Index (WHO 2000 cut-off points) and Waist Hip Ratio. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) (WHO 2022) was used to collect physical activity data. Qualitative data was transcribed and coded for common themes, from which conclusions were drawn. SPSS version 25.0 was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics; dispersion, means, frequencies, and Chi- square test, Man Whitney U test, one-way ANOVA, Bivariate Spearman’s rank order correlation, and Multivariate logistic regression analysis were also used in establishing the relationships between study variables. A p< 0.05 was used as the statistical significance level. Majority of the participants were females (76%). The mean age of the participants was 22.7(±2) years. Majority of the respondents (57.7%) had moderate nutrition knowledge (41–69%). The meals of the students comprised mainly of ugali, kales, rice beans/green grams, chapati beans/ green grams, and rice, carrot, peas, ugali and cabbage. The diets of majority of the respondents (87%) were diverse, where they consumed a daily minimum recommended meal frequency of five meals. Sub-optimal eating habits were reported including consuming unhealthy snacks, skipping meals, and poor dietary diversity. About a fifth (20.5%) of the respondents were overweight and 7.5% were obese. Slightly less than one third (26.3%) and slightly less than a half (46.1%) of the respondents engaged in vigorous and moderate physical activity respectively. Over half (58%) of the respondents reported negative and positive peer influence in the choice of the foods consumed. A chi-square test established a positive association between eating habits and the nutrition status of the students (p=0.009). There was a significant association between the occupation of the parents and the respondents’ BMI (p=0.034) and WHR (p=0.004). Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between the amount of pocket money the students received and nutrition status (AOR = 1.917, p = 0.044). Students who received higher amounts of pocket money were more likely to be obese (high WHR) (AOR = 1.917, p = 0.044). Higher nutrition knowledge was associated with the practice of recommended eating habits (AOR = 0.265, p = 0.006). There was no association between nutrition knowledge and nutrition status of the study participants. There is therefore need sensitize KMTC students on healthy eating habits. KMTC management should also ensure that the college physical environment supports healthy eating habits.
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master Of Science in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics in the School of Health Sciences of Kenyatta University, October, 2024
Supervisors:
1.Sophie Ochola
2.Juliana Kiio