Socioeconomic Determinants of Dietary Quality and Nutrition Transition in Urban Households in Kano State

Nutrition transition, characterised by a shift from traditional staple-based diets to energy-dense, nutrient-poor dietary patterns, is unfolding at varying speeds across Nigerian cities, with socioeconomic gradients shaping the pace and nature of these changes. This study examines socioeconomic determinants of dietary quality and nutrition transition indicators among urban households in Kano Municipal and Nassarawa local government areas of Kano State, North West Nigeria. A cross-sectional analytical study enrolled 400 households through multi-stage probability sampling. Household dietary quality was assessed using a composite Dietary Quality Index adapted for Northern Nigerian dietary patterns, derived from a quantitative 24-hour dietary recall and food frequency questionnaire. Nutrition transition markers including dietary diversity, proportion of energy from ultra-processed foods, and household food expenditure patterns were computed. Socioeconomic predictors including household income quintile, educational attainment of the primary food preparer, employment status, and urban-rural gradient were assessed. Structural equation modelling was used to examine direct and indirect pathways through which socioeconomic status influences dietary quality, incorporating household food expenditure as a mediating variable. Findings will provide a nuanced understanding of how socioeconomic stratification shapes dietary transition trajectories in Kano, enabling the development of nutrition policies that address inequality in food environments. Keywords: nutrition transition, dietary quality, socioeconomic determinants, Kano State, urban households.