FOOD HABIT OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN (6-11 YEARS) IN IDAEREGO COLLEGE OYIBO PORT-HARCOURT IN RIVERS STATE

ABSTRACT This study assessed the food consumption patterns and influencing factors among primary school children at Idarego College in Oyigbo, Port Harcourt, with specific objectives to identify commonly consumed foods, assess meal frequency and timing, evaluate nutritional adequacy, and examine determinants of food choices. Using a cross-sectional research design, structured questionnaires were administered to a stratified random sample of 355 pupils aged 6-11 years. The results revealed concerning dietary patterns characterized by high consumption of processed snacks (69.9% reported daily or near-daily intake) and inadequate consumption of fruits (only 17.7% consumed daily) and vegetables (merely 18.3% always consumed). Despite high self-reported nutritional knowledge (85.1%), environmental and social factors significantly influenced food choices, with parental practices emerging as predominant (71.3% of mothers served as primary food preparers), followed by peer influence (15.5%) and school food environment factors (76.1% purchased food at school, primarily snacks). The study concludes that a substantial gap exists between nutritional knowledge and actual dietary practices, driven primarily by environmental and socioeconomic factors. The study recommended implementing comprehensive school nutrition policies that restrict unhealthy food sales, enhancing parental education programs on cost-effective nutritious meal preparation, developing government-supported school feeding programs that ensure dietary diversity, and creating peer-led nutrition initiatives to positively influence food choices. Keywords: Food Habits, Primary School Children, Nutritional Adequacy, Dietary Patterns, Influencing Factors, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.