PARTIAL FUFILMENT

Obesity is defined as the abnormal or excessive accumulation of body fat to levels that pose significant health risks. This study assessed the knowledge and attitude regarding diet promotion strategies in the prevention of obesity among nursing students at the University of Benin, Edo State. The research was guided by three objectives and corresponding research questions.The target population comprised nursing students from 200 to 500 levels, and a sample of 282 participants was selected using a simple random sampling technique.Data were collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages.Findings revealed that most respondents possessed adequate knowledge and a positive attitude toward diet promotion strategies for obesity prevention. Specifically, 99.4% of participants were aware that obesity is a major risk factor for chronic diseases, while 96.8% demonstrated a favorable attitude toward maintaining healthy eating habits. However, the practical application of this knowledge was found to be inconsistent. The study concludes that continuous health education is essential to strengthen nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding obesity prevention. It recommends that the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria incorporate comprehensive concepts on diet promotion strategies, obesity prevention, and nutrition-related interventions into the nursing curriculum to enhance
students’ competencies as future health educators and advocates