Abstract
The general purpose of the study was to investigate the food consumption pattern
and selected lifestyle characteristics of traders in Ubakala, Umuahia South L.G.A.
of Abia State. Specifically, it determined: socio-demographic and economic
characteristics of the traders, their food consumption patterns, types of food
consumed, lifestyle and BMI characteristics. The study adopted survey design.
Population consisted of all traders in daily markets at Ubakala. Questionnaire was
used for data collection. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from
anthropometric measurements. Data were analyzed using frequencies and
percentages. Result among other things, showed that there were more females
(83.8%) than males (16.2) in the market with an average monthly income of
<N10.000 – N>50.000. Over half (52.9%) of them skipped meals. Lunch (32.4%) was
the most frequently skipped. Consumption of meat and fish (72.4%), snacks
(62.4%), soft drinks (54.6%) and tubers (58.6%) were high; Cereals (54.3%)
consumption was moderate while legumes (11.4%), nuts (15.7%), fruits and
vegetables (9.0%) were rarely consumed. Some (17.1%, 40.0% and 25.7%) smoked
cigarette, use tobacco and consumed alcohol respectively. Pica (white chalk (22.9%)
and white clay (20.0%) consumption was also observed. Majority (94.3%) had no
regular exercise pattern and few (11.4%) trekked to the market. The food habit and
sedentary lifestyle may have contributed to the high prevalence of overweight
(27.6%) and obesity (34.8%) observed among the respondents with more males
(44.1%) being overweight than females (24.4%) and more females (36.4%) being
more obese than the males (26.5%). Four recommendations for promoting food
consumption patterns and lifestyle of the traders were made.