Perceived influence of food security on academic performance of secondary school students in ilorin metropolis
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Date
2015
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Abstract
Abstract
Food security is a condition related to food and individual’s access to it. Adequate food and balanced nutrient intake are essential to brain function and prime factors in seizing appropriate cognitive capability. This study investigated the perceived influence of food security on academic performance of secondary school students in Ilorin metropolis. The purpose of the study were to determine the influence of provision of adequate food, availability and accessibility of food on the academic performance of secondary school students. A descriptive research design of survey type was used. The population were all public secondary school students totaling 17,603 with the target population of 3,603 students. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select three hundred and sixty (360) respondents for the study. A researchers’ designed structured questionnaire validated by three experts from the relevant field was used for data collection. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained using split-half method. A correlation coefficient of .76r was obtained. Inferential statistics of Chi-square was used to test the null hypotheses set for the study at 0.05 alpha level of significance. The study concluded that provision of free meal by the government, availability and accessibility to food by students had significant influence on their academic performances. It was recommended that nutritious and healthy free meal should be provided by the government; food should always be made available at home at all times; and students should be more accessible to foods.
Keywords: Food security, Academic performance, Students
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Keywords
Percieved, Food security, Academic Performance, Students