Dietary Habits and Some Biochemical Parameters Among Selected Students Attending Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria

The dietary habits and nutritional status of university students, particularly those in the field of biochemistry, are crucial for maintaining optimal health, academic performance, and professional success. This study aimed to assess the dietary habits and nutritional status of 400-level Biochemistry students at Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. A total of 46 participants were assessed using structured questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, biochemical tests, and urinalysis. The majority of participants (54.3%) were aged 22–24 years, with 56.5% being female and 65.2% residing on-campus. Dietary habit analysis revealed that 43.5% consumed three meals daily, with breakfast being the most skipped meal (43.5%). Daily consumption of grains (87.0%) and proteins (76.1%) was high, while 54.3% consumed fruits daily. Nutritional assessments indicated that 43.5% rated their diets as average, and 65.2% believed their diets met their nutritional needs. Anthropometric analysis showed an average BMI of 20.50, placing most participants within the normal range, while biochemical tests revealed normal blood sugar (mean RBS = 6.99 mmol/L) and total protein levels (7.0–7.8 g/dL). Urinalysis showed no abnormalities, indicating overall good metabolic and nutritional health among the participants. These findings highlight healthy dietary practices among most students but underscore the need for enhanced nutrition education to improve dietary patterns further.