EVALUATION OF FOOD INTAKE PATTERN AMIDST THE CURRENT HARDSHIP AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the food intake pattern amid the current hardship among undergraduate students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. One research question was raised to guide the study. The research design adopted for this study was a descriptive survey. The population consist of about 19,764 undergraduate students living in the school hostels in both campuses; Samaru and Kongo. Five (5) out of sixteen (16) student hostels were randomly selected using simple random sampling technique. Respondents were selected from each of the five (5) hostels proportionately based on the total population of students in the hostels which gives the total sample size of three hundred and ninety-two (392) undergraduate students using proportionate sampling technique. Data was collected using a closed-ended questionnaire which was validated by three (3) experts. Percentage and frequency count were used as the statistical tools in analyzing the data presented in a pie chart. The results of the study revealed that the majority of undergraduate students in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, practised poor and irregular food intake habits, skipped meals by taking meals twice a day, skipped mostly launch, and breakfast and did not pay attention to the nutritional benefits of what they consume. Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that the majority of undergraduate students in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, adopted a poor and irregular food intake pattern and do not pay attention to the nutritional benefits of what they consume. The researchers recommended that the university management should intervene in regulating food pricing within campus stores and eateries, and provide active and affordable cafeterias to help students access proper and adequate food.