Effect of Climate Change on Anthropometric Status of Women in Nsukka L.G.A of Enugu State, Nigeria

Background: Climate change can affect anthropometric status of women negatively as a result of loses in body mass for the most vulnerable ones.

Objective: The study focuses on the effect of climate change on anthropometric status of women in Nsukka local government area.

Materials and methods: The study adopted a survey and experimental research design. Two hundred and fifty-one (251) respondents were selected from the different communities in Nsukka local government area using multistage sampling technique. The instrument used to collect data was the questionnaire and interview on the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents. Anthropometric data (height and weight) were also used. The data was analyzed using descriptive analysis frequency, percentage, etc. while the null hypothesis was tested using t-test statistics decided at 5% level of significance.

Result: The study found out that most communities in Nsukka local government area experience high winds, warmer and frequent hot days and nights over most land area, droughts and high tides during climate change events. The anthropometric analysis showed that out of 251 women sampled, 112(44.8%) maintain normal weight, while 81(32.4%) were found to be underweight. There were few cases of obesity among the surveyed women 16(6.4%).

Conclusion: Good Nutrition is the key to good lifestyle and it is essential to support growth and meet the physiological demands of women, the study therefore, recommend that women empowerment should be encouraged to the rural areas, and that will help to improve the family finance, better food security and better women nutritional