Analysis of Household Food Consumption Patterns and Nutritional Status Among Farming Communities in Yobe State, North East Nigeria

Understanding household food consumption patterns and nutritional status among farming communities is essential for designing effective agricultural and nutrition interventions in food-insecure regions. In Yobe State, chronically high rates of food insecurity and undernutrition among farming households have persisted despite agricultural development investments. This study analysed food consumption patterns and nutritional status among farming communities in Yobe State. A cross-sectional survey of 104 farming households from four local government areas was conducted using structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Household dietary diversity, food consumption scores, and child stunting prevalence were the primary outcome measures. Descriptive statistics, dietary diversity score computation, and binary logistic regression were applied. Results revealed a mean dietary diversity score of 3.8 out of 12 food groups, indicating low dietary diversity. Stunting prevalence among children under five years was 47 percent, significantly above national averages. Households engaged in livestock keeping and vegetable production had significantly higher dietary diversity scores. Seasonal food access gaps during the dry season were reported by over 70 percent of surveyed households. The study recommends integrating nutrition-sensitive agricultural programming into Yobe State extension services, promoting household vegetable garden development, and strengthening social protection transfers to the most vulnerable farming households. Keywords: food consumption, nutritional status, dietary diversity, Yobe State, farming households.