This study examined the contribution of food to nutrient intake, meal and dietary patterns among children aged 4–8 and 9–13 years in the city of Ibadan, Nigeria. Multi-pass 24-hour dietary recalls were used to assess intakes. Prudent and traditional Southwestern Nigerian dietary patterns were identified among children. The top foods and beverages were defined by frequency and amount consumed. Meal patterns were described by the eating occasions, while cluster analysis probed dietary patterns. About 88% of children had at least three meals including breakfast (95%), lunch (85%), dinner (92%) and midmorning meals (48%), while about 60% ate snacks at least once daily. Sources of energy and key nutrients were limited (yam, cassava, rice, maize, bread and beans/peas/legumes). The amount consumed per consumer of cassava products (192.2, 256.0 g), yam (169.7, 256.0 g), legumes (115.3, 150.7 g), corn/maize (160.4, 195.2), and rice (138.4, 182.3 g) were high, while beef (15.2, 17.9 g), eggs (50.6, 49.2 g), fish (27.5, 30.6 g), milk (24.2, 27.0 g) and nuts and seeds (18.2, 19.7 g) were low for children ages 4–8 and 9–13 years, respectively. In conclusion, while the frequency of meals suggests a healthy pattern, the top foods could not provide adequate nutrient (especially micronutrient) intake, which is key to the development of the target population.

Background: The study delves into the nuanced relationship between meal skipping and the double burden of malnutrition among university students. It addresses a critical gap in understanding how young adults' irregular dietary patterns contribute to undernutrition and overnutrition, phenomena typically studied in isolation. Aims: This research aimed to shed light on the broader implications of meal skipping within the context of student health and well-being. Subjects and Methods: The study surveyed a representative sample of undergraduate students from various academic disciplines at Lead City University in Ibadan, Nigeria, utilizing a descriptive cross-sectional approach. Detailed questionnaires were administered to assess the frequency of meal skipping, dietary habits, and associated lifestyle factors. Body mass index (BMI) and self-reported health data were also collected. Statistical analyses, including univariate and bivariate analysis, were employed to identify the nutritional status and meal patterns of the students, Principal component analysis was employed to identify the dietary patterns prevalent among the students from the food frequency questionnaire administered. Results: The findings reveal a significant correlation between meal skipping and the risk of undernutrition and overnutrition. Students who regularly skip meals are likely at an increased risk of undernutrition, characterized by lower BMI and potential micronutrient deficiencies, and overnutrition, indicated by higher BMI and associated health risks. This dual risk factor challenges existing perceptions of nutrition among young adults, suggesting that meal skipping can be a critical determinant of diverse and complex nutritional outcomes. Conclusion: The study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive nutritional strategies at university campuses, focusing on educating students about the risks associated with inconsistent eating patterns. It calls for implementing targeted interventions and policy changes to address the double burden of malnutrition, promoting healthier lifestyles, and preventing long-term health issues among university students. Keywords: Meal Skipping, Double Burden of Malnutrition, University Students, Nutritional Status, Dietary Patterns, Public Health Interventions, Young Adult Health.

Access to safe water, proper sanitation, and hygienic practices are fundamental to the growth and survival of children. This study assessed the relationship between water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices and the nutritional status of children aged 6–59 months in the Beere/Oja-Oba community, Ibadan, Oyo State. This cross-sectional study involved 200 mothers/caregivers with under-five children. WASH practices were assessed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were taken and analyzed using WHO Anthro. Data were analyzed using SPSS at p < 0.05. The mean age of the children was 24.91±10.52, and the majority were females (77.5%). Prevalence of stunting (44.0%), wasting (37.5%), and underweight (34.0%) were high among the children. Well (71.5%) and tap/borehole (74.0%) were the major sources of domestic and drinking water respectively, and required 5–15 min (36.9%) to source. The occurrence of diarrhea was high (48.5%) among the children. Time to drinking water source and washing a child's hands before feeding were WASH practices significantly associated with stunting (p = 0.000) and underweight (p = 0.003) among the children from lower socio-economic households (p = 0.045). Access to unsafe water was significantly associated with child malnutrition. There is a need to educate and encourage mothers/caregivers to improve their hygiene practices in the community.

Background: Despite advancements in the medical management of Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD), its prevalence persists as a significant health concern, especially in Western Sub-Saharan Africa. Aims: This study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of PUD among university students and to investigate the dietary habits of affected individuals. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 340 students recruited from five faculties at a private university in Ibadan, Nigeria. Data pertaining to socio-demographics, PUD history, identified triggers, and dietary habits were collected using a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (Version 26), employing descriptive statistics to summarize findings and Spearman’s correlation to assess associations between variables. Results: The observed prevalence of PUD among the 340 university students was 12.4%. Among those with PUD, a substantial majority were female (87.8%), with 43.9% being in their fourth year of study. Approximately half (51.2%) of the respondents reported experiencing PUD crises 1–3 days per week. More than half were currently on medication, and 12.2% had received prior treatment. Key identified triggers included starvation (90.2%), stress (80.5%), and specific food items (85.4%). Regarding dietary habits, 63.4% occasionally consumed hot spicy foods, 68.3% drank carbonated beverages, 39.0% consumed fatty foods 2–3 times per week, and 29.3% consumed energy drinks. Notably, sex, family history, starvation, and stress demonstrated a significant negative correlation with the frequency of crises (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, this study elucidates the prevalence of PUD within the university student population and underscores the critical role of lifestyle factors in both the management and prevention of PUD crises within the academic community. Keywords: Peptic Ulcer Disease; University Students; Triggers; Lifestyle; Dietary Habits.

Background: Malnutrition in under-five children remains an issue of public health, especially in low and middle-income countries, and is associated with inadequate child development and poor survival. Recent public health intervention strategies for malnourished children allow for localized targeted supplementation with locally available materials to replace the imported Ready-to-Use-Supplementary-Food (RUSF) for the target group. Aims: The aim of the study was to develop a local supplementary food and determine its effects on hematological parameters of weanling rats. Material and Methods: The experimental study involved thirty weanling albino rats, grouped into groups A, B, and C, each consisting of ten rats. All the groups were acclimatized for fourteen days, thereafter, groups A and B were induced with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) by feeding with only corn starch for fourteen days. Weight, tail length, and hematological parameters (hemoglobin level, white blood cell count) of all the weanling albino rats were determined and recorded as baseline values on the fourteenth day. Therapeutic food made from millet, soybean, and grasshopper blends was produced and fed to group A as the intervention, Group B was fed with corn starch only and group C was fed on normal rat pellets for twenty-eight days. Weight, tail length, and hematological parameters were determined and recorded at the end of the intervention. Results: Experimental group A had the lowest packed cell volume (PCV) value with a difference of 2.20 ± 0.56 %, the lowest hemoglobin (Hb) level with a difference of 0.58 ± 0.02 g/dL, the control group had the highest PCV, Hb, and RBC with values of 4.10 ± 0.5 %, 1.58 ± 0.21 g/dL, and 0.9 ± 0.05 x 106 µ/L respectively. Conclusions: With the evidence provided by the parameters assessed in the study, it can be concluded that the developed therapeutic food is efficacious in the treatment of malnutrition especially in weanling albino rats. Keywords: Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM), Ready-to-Use-Supplementary-Food (RUSF) Malnutrition, Complementary feeding, Animal studies.