Anthropometric Status of Fisher folks in ITU Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Type Journal Article - European Journal of Scientific Research
Title Anthropometric Status of Fisher folks in ITU Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Author(s)
Volume 125
Issue 3
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2014
Page numbers 246-252
Abstract
The study ascertained the anthropometric status of fisher folks in Itu Local
Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained from 120
fisher folks in Itu Local Government Area using a multi-stage sampling procedure and
were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Body Mass Index (BMI). Results show
that 50% of the respondents were aged between 21-40 years; 90% were males; 84. 2% were
married with 37.5% having 11-20 years of fishing experience; and 97.5% had no access to
extension services. Fishing also show that the respondents were highly engaged in fishing
activities such as netting and clamming. The Body Mass Index (BMI) reveals that 67.5% of
the respondents had normal weight, 21.7% were undernourished while 10.8% were
overweight. It is recommended that the Government of Akwa Ibom State through its
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development endeavour to make relevant extension
services available and accessible to fisher folks in the study area. Non-Government
Organizations (NGOs) and research institutes should complement the envisaged State
Government’s extension efforts by embarking on targeted programmes aimed at educating
fisher folks on the importance of proper nutrition to productivity in their fishing activities.

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