GLORY-POTOKRI JOY OGHENERHUNO

This study examined the knowledge, attitude, and practice of nutrition and healthy eating habits among students of a tertiary institution in Benin City, Edo State. Poor nutrition and unhealthy eating behaviours among young adults have been recognized as major public health concerns, contributing to the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design and utilized a stratified sampling technique with convenience sampling to select 200 participants from different academic levels and faculties. A total of 200 structured questionnaires were distributed and duly completed, yielding a 100% response rate. Data were analysed us ing the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0, and results were presented in tables, charts, and figures using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that the majority of the students possessed good knowledge of nutrition and healthy eating habits, as indicated by a grand mean score of 1.8. Most respondents also exhibited positive attitudes toward proper nutrition, recognizing the importance of balanced diets, regular meals, and adequate hydration. However, despite their awareness, many students demonstrated poor eating practices, often skipping meals, consuming fast foods, and taking sugary beverages due to time constraints, limited finances, and the easy availability of junk foods. Hypothesis testing showed a significant relationship between students’ nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and their actual eating behaviours (p< 0.05). The study concludes that while students have good knowledge and favourable attitudes toward nutrition, these do not always translate into healthy dietary practices due to various socioeconomic and environmental barriers