Body Image Perception and Dietary Behaviour Among Female Undergraduate Students in Nsukka, Enugu State

Body image dissatisfaction and its influence on dietary behaviour have been extensively studied in Western populations but remain inadequately explored among university women in Nigeria. This study investigates body image perceptions and related dietary behaviours among female undergraduate students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, South East Nigeria. The convergence of social media exposure, peer influence, and academic stress creates a setting in which body image concerns may drive unhealthy dietary practices including restrictive eating, meal skipping, and use of weight loss products. A cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted, with 300 female undergraduates aged 17 to 26 years recruited through stratified random sampling across faculties. Body image was assessed using the validated Body Shape Questionnaire, and perceptions of ideal body weight were evaluated using figure rating scales. Dietary behaviour data were collected through a 24-hour recall and a dietary practice questionnaire that captured meal frequency, dieting history, and use of slimming supplements. Anthropometric measurements including body mass index were taken. Findings are expected to show that a significant proportion of students hold distorted body image perceptions, with underweight and normal weight students overestimating body size, leading to unnecessary dietary restriction. The study recommends campus-based nutritional counselling and media literacy interventions. Keywords: body image, dietary behaviour, female students, Nsukka, eating practices.