IMPACT OF SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN BIDA TOWN

This study investigated the impact of socioeconomic factors on nutritional status among women of reproductive age in Bida Town, Niger State. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted, and data were collected from 231 respondents using a semi-structured questionnaire and validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Anthropometric indices such as Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference, and Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) were measured using standardized protocols. The sample was determined through Glenn’s formula (1973), yielding a final sample of 231 respondents after accounting for non-response. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and regression analysis with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results revealed that the majority of respondents (78%) were aged between 15–25 years, indicating a youthful population. Most respondents were married (54%), Muslim (68%), and of Nupe ethnicity (63%), while nearly half (50%) earned between ₦31,000–₦50,000 monthly. Dietary analysis showed a high dependence on carbohydrate-rich staples such as rice and garri, with limited intake of fruits, dairy, and protein-rich foods. The anthropometric assessment indicated that 60% had normal BMI, while 13% were underweight, 15% overweight, and 13% obese, reflecting a double burden of malnutrition. Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) analysis showed that 28% were at high risk of abdominal obesity. Chi-square and regression results revealed significant associations (p ≤ 0.05) between socioeconomic variables (age, marital status, income, housing type, household size) and anthropometric indices (BMI and WHR). Respondents with higher income and multiparity exhibited increased obesity prevalence, while younger and low-income women were more prone to underweight. The study concludes that socioeconomic conditions significantly shape dietary patterns and nutritional outcomes among women of reproductive age in Bida Town and recommends targeted nutritional education, economic empowerment, and community-based interventions to promote healthier dietary habits and reduce nutrition-related health risks.