RESEARCH JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2536-7080
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/RJFSN
Start Year: 2016
Email: rjfsn@integrityresjournals.org
Knowledge, consumption pattern of ultra-processed foods and beverages and anthropometric status of students of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba
https://doi.org/10.31248/RJFSN2026.234 | Article Number: E0D3C8891 | Vol.11 (4) - October 2026
Received Date: 18 August 2026 | Accepted Date: 16 September 2026 | Published Date: 30 October 2026
Authors: Ijeoma Chikaodinaka Asomugha* and Ijeoma Blessing Onyibor
Keywords: consumption pattern, Nutrition transition, knowledge and ultra-processed foods.
The cross-sectional study examined knowledge and consumption patterns of ultra-processed foods and beverages and the anthropometric status of students of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba. Structured and validated questionnaires were used to obtain data from the students. Standard procedures were followed in taking anthropometric measurements, which were compared to reference values. Data collected were coded and analysed with IBM SPSS version 25. Frequencies and percentages were used to analyse data on personal information, knowledge and consumption patterns of those foods, while Pearson correlation was used to relate consumption patterns and anthropometric status. Results indicated that 53.5%, 34.2% and 12.3% had good, average and poor knowledge of ultra-processed foods and beverages, respectively. Biscuits/cookies (20.5%), breakfast cereals (16.8%) and carbonated soft drinks (22.7%) were consumed once daily by the students. Anthropometric status showed that 45.9%, 18.6% and 18.2% were underweight, overweight and obese, respectively. A moderate negative significant relationship (r=-.477, P=.000) existed between biscuits/cookies consumption and normal weight. Breakfast cereals exhibited a weak negative significant relationship with normal weight (r=-.272, P=.000), a weak positive significant relationship with overweight (r=.189, P=.000) and obesity (r=.201, P=.000). Carbonated soft drinks intake showed a weak negative significant relationship with normal weight (r=-.182, P=.007) and a moderate positive significant relationship with overweight (r=.314, P=.007). This showed that frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods and beverages leads to weight gain, which may subsequently affect overall health.
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