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Influence of Work Load and Feeding Pattern on the Nutritional Status of Rural Women Farmers in Nkwere LGA of Imo State, Nigeria

Agugo UA, Onuador L, Okere TO, Uchegbulem ANP and Iheme GO

This study was conducted in 2016 to determine the influence of work load and food consumption pattern on the nutritional status of rural women farmers in Ukwuube in Nkwere, LGA Imo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey with 106 sample size was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative data-collection methods. The study involved using a questionnaire to obtain information on food consumption pattern and farm work activities as well as anthropometry (weight and height measurements) of rural women farmers. Monogamous family setting was found to be predominant in the study area; more than seventy per cent (70%) of the respondents are from monogamous family with family members of 3-7 in number. No food taboos were found to exist in the area, though certain foods are not consumed by almost sixty per cent (59%) of the respondents due to food habit. It was observed that majority of the respondents (59 %) regularly skip breakfast meals while hurrying to get to the farm. About forty eight per cent (48 %) rarely consume three meals in a day. It was noticed that most of the respondents (57%) visits their farm on a daily basis and their lunch that constitutes high calorie were usually eaten in the farm. Generally, the women were involved in long hour working of 6-13 h daily in farm work activity. The BMI of the respondents positively correlates (α=0.01) with food consumption pattern but negatively correlates (α=0.01) with workload (farm activities). The results of the study revealed that farm work activities had no influence on the nutritional status (BMI) of the respondents. Due to the poor food habit observed among rural women farmers in the study area, there is need to further investigate the health (diabetes and blood pressure) of the respondents.