Influence of Depression on Malnutrition among Undergraduates in Babcock University Ilishan-Remo.
1Ani Ime F; 2Ajuzie Nnenna C; 3Egbuna Anwulichukwu. S; 4Ajuzie
Nwaobilor C and 5Alfa Tirzah
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics
Babcock University, Ilishan-remo, Ogun State
Email: ajuzienn@babcock.edu.ng
ABSTRACT
Many young people suffer from depressive symptoms when facing difficult academic tasks and life challenge. Depression, in particular, is common in the young people and can result in loss of appetite, weight, and considerable malnutrition and dehydration.On the other hand, physical illness and malnutrition may lead to depression in this vulnerable group of population. The study was to assess the influence between malnutrition and depression among undergraduates in Babcock University. A cross sectional study design among Babcock University students. The study population
was 150 students using a simple random sampling technique. It was concluded that undergraduates in Babcock University had a good knowledge of malnutrition (89.3%) and depression (62.0%). The prevalence of depression in this study was 15.3%. The study revealed that, there is a significant relationship between of knowledge malnutrition and knowledge of depression among undergraduates in Babcock University (r=0.219, p= 0.03). There was no significant association between the knowledge of malnutrition and the gender and BMI, however there is a significant
relationship between knowledge of malnutrition and the age distribution of respondents. There was a significant relationship between the knowledge of depression and the gender, age distribution and the BMI of respondents. The study recommends that the school authority should put measures to curb depression among undergraduates by making it compulsory for students to see a guidance counselor
every semester Keywords: Malnutrition, Depression, Influence, Knowledge,
