ANTHROPOMETRIC ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF MADONNA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, ELELE RIVERS STATE.

This study investigated nutritional status of Madonna University students using anthropometric measurements. The objectives of this project is To assess the nutritional status of individual categorized into underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obese groups using anthropometric measurements. To determine the correlation between anthropometric measurements and nutritional status among weight status groups. To compare and analyze the anthropometric data of the different weight groups. Anthropometric measurements such as weight, height, BMI were collected and analyzed from 400 participants 193 male and 207 female aged 18-30 years. Standardized, questionnaires, techniques and equipment were used to ensure accuracy. The data analysis revealed that obesity is of high range among the male and female students in Madonna University. The mala data mean ± standard error mean 34.60±0.70 and p-value 0.001. The high F-statistics and low p-value suggested that the differences in the four nutritional status are statistically significant. There was also a progressive increase in the mean across the four groups which was statistically significant. The female data mean ± standard error mean 25.65±0.57 and p-value 0.001. The high Fstatistics and low p-value suggested that the differences in the four nutritional status are statistically significant. There was also a progressive increase in the mean across the four groups which was statistically significant. The findings from the study where BMI has increased progressively from underweight, to healthy, overweight, and the obese groups, and most of them being significantly different, highlight the need for the community to pay extra attention on the aspect of weight control. The results suggest that excess weight gain can lead to a range of physiological conditions. Keywords: BMI, Nutrition and Anthropometric measurements