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.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Certification                i Dedication                ii Abstract                  iii Acknowledgement              iv Table of contents              v-vi

 CHAPTER ONE 

1.0  Introduction                1 

1.1       Objectives                3 

1.2    Justification               3 

1.3  Research Question              3 

1.4  Problem Statement              4 

1.5  Limitations of Study             5 

CHAPTER TWO 

2.0  Literature Review              6

 2.1  Problem of Malnutrition  in developing Countries    7 

2.2  Status of Women in Nigeria          8 

2.3  Women’s health and nutritional Status        11 

2.4  The role of culture on food habits          13

 2.5  Nutrition education and the state of nutrition      13

 2.6  Bio availability of Nutrients          14 

2.7      Digestion of Nutrients            14 

2.8  Absorption of Nutrients            15 

2.9  Metabolism and storage of Nutrients        15

 2.10      Recommended Nutrient Intake          16 

2.11  Nutritive needs of Adults            18

 2.12  Influence in the Adult’s Diet           18               v  

  7

CHAPTER THREE 3.0    Research Methodology            20 3.1.        Study Design              20 3.2.        Study Area               20 3.3         Data Analysis              20 3.4         Anthropometric Measurement          21 3.5           24 hrs Diet recall             21  

CHAPTER FOUR Result and Discussion              22 Table 4.1   Socio-demographic Data          23-25 Table 4.2  BMI  classification            26 Table 4.3  Body composition            27 Table 4.4  Frequency of meals taken per day       28 Table 4.5  Food habits of the respondent        29 Table 4.6  Self rating of nutrition knowledge       30 Table 4.7  Self rating of food intake over the years      31  Table 4.8  Food consumption pattern          32 Table 4.9  Dietary intake             33 Table 4.10  Intake of supplement (Iron, Antimalaria)      34  

CHAPTER FIVE 5.0  Conclusion                36 5.1  Recommendation               36-37  References                  38-39