Authors: Lateef O.J, Agu H.O, Adesanya O.D, Eduzor E.
Household food diversity is one of the major determinants of level malnutrition in the family. This study assessed food diversity and body mass indices of family members in some communities Bauchi local government area of Bauchi state in north-east Nigeria. Data were collected from 368 households selected through multi-stage and random sampling procedures from 13 communities. The instruments used were Semi-structured questionnaire, digital bathroom weighing scale and stadiometer, these instruments were used in accordance with standard practices to collect data from the respondents. The results of analysis indicated that 54.9% of household heads were within the active age of (31-45) years, 67.7% attained Secondary/Islamiyah level of education, while 43.5% engaged in farming as a primary occupation. In addition, 59.8% of the household heads practiced extended family. Results on food consumption showed that 74.2% household consummed 3 meals daily while about 50.5% fairly diversified their food consumption. Household body mass index indicated that about 51.1% of the heads were within normal BMI, 43.5% of wives were underweight and 30.2% of adolescents showed thinness and about 20.4% of under-five children indicated severe thinness. Although, about half of the household fairly diversified their food consumption, the body mass indices of mothers and children were not too encouraging. Hence, efforts should be geared towards improve food diversification in the household by the nutrition officers in the state in order to step up proper food diversification and reduce underweight and thinness among wives and children.
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