Dietary Diversity and Food Insecurity among Medical Students of the University of Ibadan: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background: The global prevalence of food insecurity presents particular challenges for university students, with medical students experiencing compounded risks due to financial limitations and academic pressures. These constraints frequently manifest in poor dietary diversity, creating a bidirectional relationship where food insecurity limits access to nutritious foods, while monotonous diets exacerbate health and academic consequences. Understanding this connection is crucial for developing targeted interventions in high-pressure academic environments.

Aim: This study assessed the prevalence of dietary diversity, food insecurity, and associated socio-demographic factors among medical students at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 among 208 medical students in their 300-500 academic levels. Participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using the 10-item US Adult Food Security Scale Module for food security assessment and dietary diversity tools (Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women [MDD-W] and Individual Dietary Diversity Score [IDDS]). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20, including descriptive statistics, chi-square test was used to determine associations between categorical variables, while multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify food insecurity predictors among students. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: The mean age of participants was 21.7 ± 2.7 years, with 53.8% being male. Over one-third (34.5%) reported a monthly allowance of ₦10,100-₦20,000, while 42.3% had daily food expenditures of ₦800-₦1000. Low dietary diversity was prevalent, particularly among female students (90.0%) compared to males (38.6%). Cereals (98.8%) and legumes (32.5%) were the most consumed food groups, whereas fruits (27.5%) and vegetables (11.3%) were under-consumed. The overall prevalence of food insecurity was 64.9%, with significant predictors including female gender (OR=2.51, 95% CI: 1.16-5.43) and a monthly allowance below ₦10,000 (OR=25.4, 95% CI: 2.08-309.2).

Conclusion: This study highlights a high prevalence of food insecurity and low dietary diversity among medical students at the University of Ibadan, with financial constraints and gender disparities being key determinants. These findings underscore the urgent need for institutional interventions, such as subsidized meal programs and nutrition education initiatives, to mitigate this public health concern and support students' well-being and academic success.