Assessing Dietary Diversity Score and Nutritional Status of Rural Adult Women in Abia State, Nigeria

Aim : The aim of the study was to assess dietary diversity score and nutritional status of rural adult women in Abia State, Nigeria. A sample of 240 women was selected using simple random sampling in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State. Anthropometric characteristics were measured, while socio demographic information and dietary habits were assessed using a pre - tested questionnaire. A standardized Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance Project (FANTA) published 24 - hour diet recall questionnaire for calculating women dietary diversity score (WDDS) based on 9 food groups was adapted and used for the rural women. Data were analysed using descriptives and chi square. Th e prevalence of overweight and obesity were 30.8% and 10%, respectively. Total dietary diversity score was 2.9 ± 0.74 with rural diets predominantly composed of starchy staples (0.77 ± 0.27). Majority (84.6%) of the rural women had low DDS. No relations hip was observed between DDS and BMI (X 2 =5.846; p=0.119) (p>0.05 ). Dietary diversification and nutrition education should be emphasized to promote traditional diets.