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American Journal of  Physical Education 
and Health Science (AJPEHS)

A Systematic Study of  the Knowledge and Perception of  Malnutrition on Academic
Performance among Public Secondary Schoolstudents in Ondo State, Nigeria

Ayotunde Olubunmi Omowumi1*

Volume 3 Issue 1, Year 2025
ISSN: 2992-9679 (Online) 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54536/ajpehs.v3i1.2040
https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajpehs

Article Information ABSTRACT

Received: June 30, 2024
Accepted: July 28, 2024

Published: May 14, 2025

Malnutrition has a long term consequence on intellectual ability, economic productivity, 
reproduction performance and susceptibility to diseases in Nigeria, it was estimated that 
2 million children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among children of  
school age. It is in the light of  the above that this study aims at assessing knowledge and 
perception of  malnutrition on academic performance among students of  government – 
owned secondary schools in Ondo state. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used for 
this investigation. The sample consists of  three hundred and eighty four (384) Students 
drawn from six selected Public Secondary Schools across the three senatorial Districts 
in Ondo State. A systematic sampling technique was used to select the participants from 
the study population using their school registers. The field work was carried out  between 
February and May 2023.  Data were collected through questionnaire and the results were 
analyzed using descriptive statistics (Frequency table, percentage, standard deviation, mean 
and numbers) and inferential statistics (chi- square) using statistical package for social 
sciences (SPSS). The result of  the study showed that majority of  the respondents have good 
knowledge and perception of  malnutrition as 381 representing 97.2% of  the respondents 
agreed that non-availability of  food at home can make children to be malnourished, Also 
97.2% of   the respondents equally agreed that poor financial status of  parents contributed 
to the issue of  malnutrition among learners. In the same vein, 380 of  the respondents 
representing 98% agreed that large family size contributed to malnutrition. The result 
further showed that there is significant relationship between the knowledge of  malnutrition 
of  the respondents and academic performance (r =3.0, p< 0.000). Also, there is significant 
relationship between perception of  malnutrition and academic performance (r = 2.755, p < 
0.000).Similarly, the findings further showed that there is a significant relationship between 
the respondents age and malnutrition (r =5.643, p< 0.000). Conclusively, the study reveals 
that the respondents have good knowledge and perception of  malnutrition. They equally 
agreed that malnutrition has negative effects on their academic performance. However, it is 
recommended that government should introduce comprehensive nutrition education among 
the target population, advocate birth control among adults of  reproductive age, introduce 
efficient poverty alleviation programmers’ and policies, improve on the home grown School 
feeding Programmes and extend it to Secondary Schools among other interventions so as 
to frontally address the problem of  malnutrition among Students. Suggestions for future 
research are provided.

Keywords
Academic, Performance, 
Knowledge, Malnutrition, 
Perception, Students

INTRODUCTION
Malnutrition has been identified as the main factor for 
poor academic performance in schools. Studies had also 
shown that malnutrition among the school age children 
is a risk factor for high absenteeism, early dropout, 
low school enrolment and unsatisfactory classroom 
performance.
Malnutrition in all its forms is closely linked, either directly 
or indirectly, to major causes of  death worldwide. Maternal 
and child under nutrition has long-term consequences for 
intellectual ability, economic productivity, reproductive 
performance ease (Black,2008). There are evidence-
informed interventions that, when implemented 
effectively, can dramatically reduce the rate of  malnutrition 
(WHO, 2013a). In Nigeria, the consequences of  under 
nutrition cannot be overemphasized. Nevertheless, global 
progress has been too slow to meet the nutrition target of  
Sustainable Development Goals.

On 1st April 2016. the United Nations national assembly 
proclaimed 2016-2025  the United Nations Decade of  
Action on Nutrition. This proclamation is a commitment 
by the United Nations to undertake 10 years of  sustained 
and coherent implementation of  polices, programmes 
and increased investments to eliminate malnutrition in all 
its forms globally.
The decade with increase visibility of  Nutrition of  
nutrition action at the highest level in order to straighter 
multi-sectoral collaboration, create synergies and 
measurable  progress towards sustainable food system 
and nutrition security for all. ( United Nations System 
Stand and Committee on Nutrition UNSCN).    
Other high-level UN initiatives that have focused on 
nutrition include the revised Comprehensive Framework 
for Action (High Level Task Force on the Global Food 
Security Crisis. 2011) and the Global Strategy for Women’s 
and Children’s Health (UN Secretary-general, 2010). 

1 Nigeria
* Corresponding author’s e-mail: ayotundebunmi@yahoo.ca



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The UN General Assembly also convened the High-
level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of  Non-
communicable Diseases (NCDs), and adopted a political 
declaration that included reducing NCD risk factors, such 
as unhealthy diets (UN, 201la).
Two years later, In May 2010, the World Health Assembly 
adopted a resolution (WHA 63.23) that included urging 
Member States to increase their political commitment to 
(WHO, 2010a): prevent and reduce malnutrition in all its 
forms, strengthen and expedite sustainable implementation 
of  the global strategy for infant and young child feeding, 
develop or review current policy frameworks for addressing 
the double burden of  malnutrition, scale up interventions 
to improve infant and young child nutrition and strengthen 
nutrition surveillance.
In May 2012, the World Health Assembly adopted a 
resolution (WHA 65.6) that endorsed the Comprehensive 
Implementation Plan on Maternal, Infant and Young 
Child Nutrition, which includes six global targets for 2025 
(WHO, 2012): 40 % reduction in childhood stunting, 
50 % reduction in anemia in women of  reproductive 
age, 30 % decrease in low birth weight, 0 % increase in 
childhood overweight, an increase in the rate of  exclusive 
breastfeeding in the first 6 months to at least 50%. a 
reduction in childhood wasting to less than 5%. Recently, 
the relationship between nutrition, health and academic 
performance of  the children in Nigeria has generated 
interests of  researchers, educators, governments and 
policy makers.
In Nigeria, the government created the National home 
grown School feeding program (NHGSFP) in 2016 in 
its bid to curb malnutrition of  children in School. This 
is to address hunger and malnutrition among children, 
enhance school enrolment, and increase agricultural 
production and economic growth. The programme, 
according to the reports, had fed over 53,000 school and 
9.9 million pupils in 35 states and federal capital territory 
engaging over 127,000 food vendors nationwide. There 
were also 100 aggregators in preparing a ₦70 per meal per 
child in a 20 days feeding circle. The programme is being 
implemented through the state Governments and funded 
solely by the federal government.
The program for now is being operated only in the 
primary schools and it is expected to be extended to the 
secondary Schools in order to make it a holistic approach 
to reduce malnutrition among the students of  both 
Primary and Secondary Schools. 
However, in Ondo state, the programme had run 
into crisis as the food vendors employed by the state 
government for cooking for the pupils have reduced the 
ration served as a result of  present hike in food prices, 
increase in enrolment figures of  the pupils and shortage 
of  funds. The impact of  malnutrition on the level of  
educational achievement of  students has not been fully 
diagnosed as a result of  wrong perception and inadequate 
knowledge about the importance of  nutrition and many 
deleterious effects of  malnutrition on students academic 
performance.(Nwuze, 1995).

In the light of  the above, this study aims to find out the 
knowledge and  perception of  malnutrition on academic 
performance among public secondary school students in 
Ondo State.

Statement of  Problem
Most countries in all regions reported nutrition activities 
in pre-, primary and secondary schools. Training of  staff  
in nutrition and health was the most commonly reported 
activity; provision of  safe water and hygiene promotion 
were also frequently reported, except in the countries of  
the African Region. Clearly, more comprehensive health 
and nutrition programmes are required to improve the 
school environment in the African Region to become 
health and nutrition friendly. In addition, provision of  
milk, or fruit and vegetables, in schools was reported by 
half  the countries in all regions, except in the African 
Region and the South-East Asia Region.
In Nigeria, food consumption both in quality and quantity 
has decreased substantially since the introduction of  
structural adjustment programme (SAP) in 1986. This 
period precipitated considerable decrease in household 
income and an unprecedented increase in food prices. 
The intervention of  the federal government through 
its home grown school feeding programme (HGSFP) 
that was kicked off  in 2016 to address the hunger and 
malnutrition among the school children has not delivered 
on its mandate because of  poor implementation and 
paucity of  funds.
Schools offer many opportunities to promote healthy 
dietary and physical activity patterns for children. They 
are also a potential access point for engaging parents and 
community members in preventing children’s nutrition 
problems, including both under-nutrition, and obesity 
and diet-related NCDs. Comprehensive school health and 
nutrition programmes also provide a good opportunity 
to improve nutrition of  adolescent girls, which in turn 
contributes to the improvement of  future maternal, 
infant and young child nutrition, and to the prevention of  
obesity and diet-related NCDs later in life.
According to Amoah (2019), The main problem, then 
is simply lack of  knowledge about the importance of  
nutrition and the serious repercussions of  malnutrition on 
school going children in line with academic performances. 
Therefore the knowledge and perception of  malnutrition 
and its effects on students academic performance needs 
to be properly evaluated so as to recommend effective 
polices and intervention programmes that will curb the 
menace among the secondary schools students in Ondo 
state.
This study is guided by the following research questions. 

1. What is the level of  knowledge of  students of  public 
secondary schools in Ondo state  on malnutrition?

2. What is the level of  perception of  students of  public 
secondary schools in Ondo state on malnutrition?

3. What are the effects of  poor nutrition on academic 
performance among the students of  public secondary 
schools in Ondo state?



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General Objective
The main objective of  the study is to examine the 
knowledge and perception of  malnutrition on academic 
performance among students of  public secondary 
schools in Ondo state.

Specific Objectives of  the Study
▪︎ To determine the level of  knowledge of  students of  

public secondary schools in Ondo state on malnutrition. 
▪︎ To assess the level of  perception of  malnutrition 

among students of  public secondary schools in Ondo state
▪︎ To determine the effects of  malnutrition on academic 

performances of  students of  public secondary schools in 
Ondo state.

Research Hypotheses
H01: There is no significance relationship between 

respondents demographic profiles and incidence of  
malnutrition in public secondary schools in Ondo state

H02: There is no significance relationship between the 
respondents knowledge of  malnutrition and academic 
performance in public secondary schools in Ondo state

H03: There is no significance relationship between the 
respondents level of  perception of  malnutrition and 
academic performance in public secondary schools in 
Ondo state.

LITERATURE REVIEW
Concept of  Malnutrition 
Malnutrition is a complex phenomenon. Broadly defined, 
malnutrition refers to the condition of  inappropriate 
nutrition (WHO, 2022). In the past, discussions of  
malnutrition in the context of  health issues in low-income 
countries often used this term to refer to the condition 
of  “under nutrition” associated with what was presumed 
to be protein-energy malnutrition and operationally 
defined as a deficit in anthropometric status or by the 
presence of  clinical signs such as oedema or altered hair 
colour. In more recent years, various vitamin and mineral 
deficiencies, including vitamin A, iron, iodine and zinc 
have been recognized as discrete types of  malnutrition 
that adversely affect human health and contribute to 
disease and mortality. Some of  these nutrients affect 
closely related biological systems; for example both 
vitamin A and zinc play important roles in maintaining 
different aspects of  immune function (Gandstead, 
1986) and both vitamin A and iron affect haemoglobin 
metabolism (Brown and Pulin,1986). Ecological-level 
studies have demonstrated that the prevalence of  these 
micronutrient deficiencies are high in many of  the same 
countries, thus many individuals may suffer from multiple 
micronutrient deficiencies at the same time. However, 
relatively few data are currently available for quantifying 
either the joint distribution of  multiple deficiencies or the 
impact that multiple micronutrient deficiencies have on 
specific health outcomes.
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient required for maintaining 
immune function, eye health, vision, growth and survival 

in human beings (National Research Council 2017).
At present, vitamin A deficiency remains a widespread 
public health problem, especially in countries of  South 
Asia and Africa. Globally, preschool-age children and 
women of  reproductive age are the two population 
groups most commonly recognized to be at risk of  this 
nutritional deficiency and its adverse health consequences. 
A combination which is  chronically lower than required 
dietary intakes of  vitamin A-rich foods (eggs, milk, liver, 
deep orange fruits and dark green leafy vegetables, etc.) 
combined with mal absorption and increased vitamin A 
excretion rates associated with some common illnesses 
places many women and children at risk of  developing 
vitamin A deficiency (Fawzi, Chelmers, Herrera and 
Mosteller, 1993).
No single indicator can be reliably used to assess the full 
spectrum of  vitamin A deficiency. Different aspects of  
vitamin A status are assessed using clinical indicators, 
biochemical indicators, functional indicators and 
histological indicators (NRC 2018). In humans, vitamin A 
is stored almost exclusively (>90 %) in the liver and some 
investigators propose liver and/or total body stores as a 
primary indicator of  vitamin A status. Although recent 
isotope dilution techniques is to indirectly measure liver 
vitamin A stores have yielded promising results (WHO 
2012) these techniques have not yet been used in large-
scale population-based surveys.
At the population level, the prevalence of  vitamin A 
deficiency can be determined based on the prevalence 
of  either: (i) night blindness, usually obtained by verbal 
recall; (ii) other eye signs of  xerophthalmia (Bitot’s 
spots or corneal lesions); or (iii) biochemical indicator 
values (serum retinol, breast milk retinol, relative dose-
response test, modified relative dose-response test, or 
serum 30-day response), or histological indicator values 
(conjunctival impression cytology [CIC] that fall below 
a defined cut-off  point (WHO 1996). Until recently the 
majority of  nationally representative, large-scale surveys 
related to vitamin A deficiency were conducted primarily 
among preschool-age children. 
Protein-energy malnutrition is highly prevalent in Nigeria 
due to faulty weaning practices, poverty, poor sanitary 
conditions, inadequate medical attention and endemic 
childhood infections (Nweze, 1995). Research as proof  
that deficiency of  protein intake which is known as 
protein energy malnutrition as led to poor academic 
performance by children and caused young children to be 
lethargic, withdrawn and passive all of  which affect social 
and emotional development (Amoah, 2019).
 Similarly, children suffering from severe protein energy 
malnutrition (PEM) enroll late in school, drop out early 
and exhibit academic deficits.
According to Pridmore (2007), Zinc is needed by the 
children to grow and develop as from a month old. This 
essential mineral is important for immune function, 
wound healing and development of  senses of  smell and 
taste. Researchers revealed that zinc deficiency may lead 
to deficits in children’s neuropsychological functioning, 



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activity or motor development, and thus interfere with 
cognitive performances. Iron-Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) 
is one of  the word’s most widespread health problems 
across African and Asian countries 
Iron-Deficiency anaemia is caused by poor diet and loss 
of  blood due to worm infestations. Anaemia leads to 
weakness and poor physical growth, and a compromised 
immune system-decreasing the ability to fight infections 
and increasing morbidity (Pridmore,2007)

Causes of  Malnutrition In Nigeria
Malnutrition in Nigeria directly or indirectly is the cause 
of  45% of  all deaths of  under five children. Malnutrition 
is referred to as deficiency or excesses of  nutrient intake, 
imbalance of  essential mineral or impaired nutrient 
utilization. In Nigeria, the situation of  malnutrition is very 
appalling. In the world, Nigeria has the second highest 
burden of  stunted children with national prevalence rate 
of  32 percentages of  children under five. (Galal and 
Hulett, 2003).
Also an estimated of  17 million children are suffering 
from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) giving Nigerian the 
highest burden of  malnutrition in Africa and the second 
highest in the world. According to Igbedioh (1993). The 
main reason why malnutrition is high in Nigeria is its close 
association with poverty, with 47 percent of  Nigerians 
(98 million) living in multi dimensional poverty.
Other underlying causes of  malnutrition in Nigeria are;

• Inadequate food intake.
• Inadequate food production.
• Ignorance.
• Uneven distribution of  food.
• Poor food preservation techniques.
• Taboos 
• Poor sanitation
• Over population
• Diseases like Dysphagia, cancer, malaria e.t.c.
• Alcohol or drug abuse 
• Poor lifestyle choices and  
• Insecurity which has affected farming activities in 

rural areas. 

Effects of  Malnutrition in Children
According to FOA (2012), The philosophy of  any 
government is geared towards creating individuals that are 
intellectually spiritual, emotionally and physical balanced 
with requisite knowledge, skills, values and attitudes for 
self-actualization and for the socio-economic and political 
transformation of  the nation 
In the past, nutrition was relegated to the background and 
was rarely considered by the policy maker when designing 
and implementing educational programmes aimed at 
improving participation and high performance of  school 
children.(Oseyemi,2023)
However, in recent years many countries, developmental 
partners and other International organizations   now 
recognize the importance and role of  health and nutrition 
as a key component for the achievement of  global goals 

such as the millennium Development Goal (MDG²) and 
Education for All Campaign (EFAC).
In the same vein, the relationship between nutrition, health 
and education achievement of  children in developing 
countries  has been of  interest to many researchers due 
to the frequent observation that many children do not 
enroll on time and in most cases do not complete primary 
school education.
Recent studies have found out severe stunting in the first 
two years of  life lowers test scores in school age (8-11 years) 
chronic malnutrition lowers language and mathematic test 
scores and that short stature may lead to late enrolment for 
primary school children (World Bank, 2017).
In addition, all the following conditions are linked to 
children health status and malnutrition rates;

• Physical retardation/ stunted growth.
• High rate of  absenteeism.
• Reduced intelligence quotient.
• Deficiency of  Vitamins.
• Dyslexia.
• Blindness/visual impairment.
• Lethargy.
• Brain shrinkage and 
• Illness or Death.

 
Theoretical Framework of  the Study
The Health Belief  Model of  the various models in health 
psychology that are used to explain health behaviour, 
the health belief  model provides the most appropriate 
theoretical framework in which to examine how Nigerian 
parents think about malnutrition and educations. The 
health belief  model (HBM) is a social-cognitive model 
developed in the 1950’s by the US public health services 
(Mullen, Heresy & Iverson 1987 which is often used to 
explain and predict health related behaviors (Stretcher 
& Rosenstock 1966). This model is often being used to 
predict a variety of  preventative health behaviours, such 
as dental checkups, dieting, driving under the influence 
and sexual risk behaviours.
The basic components of  the health belief  model are 
derived from a well-established body of  psychological and 
behavioural theory whose various models hypothesize 
that behaviour depends mainly upon two variables: 1. 
The value placed by an individual on a particular goal; 
and 2. The individual’s estimate of  the likelihood that 
a given action will achieve that goal. In the context of  
health-related behaviour, these correspondences are: 
1. The desire to avoid illness (or if  ill, to get well); and 
2. The belief  that a specific health action will prevent 
illness. For example, if  a person’s goal is to avoid a health 
problem, the individual must feel personally vulnerable 
(perceived susceptibility) to a problem judged to be 
potentiality serious (perceived severity), and he or she 
must estimate that specific action will be beneficial in 
reducing the health threat 10(perceived benefit) and will 
not involve overcoming obstacles (perceived barriers). 
Thus, as Rosenstock notes in describing this model,” the 
combined levels of  susceptibility and severity provided 



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the energy or force to act and the perception of  benefits 
(less barriers) and provided a preferred path of  action. 
The relevance of  this theory to this study is hinged of  the 
fact the general belief  of  the students of  public secondary 
schools in Ondo stateon malnutrition will go a long way 
in determining how they will embrace any intervention 
programme designed to reduce incidence of  malnutrition 
in the schools. 

METHODOLOGY
The research design adopted for the study is descriptive 
research design. This method allows for collection 
of  data in quantitative manner. The study population 
comprises Junior Secondary School Students (JSS 1-3) 
of  the following public schools in Ondo State: Fiwasaye 
Girls Grammar School, Akure; Ondo Boys High School, 
Ondo; Jubilee College, IkareAkoko; Owo High School, 
Owo; Holy Saviours High School, Ile Oluji and Stella 
Maris College, Okitipupa) to determine the sample size 
of  this study Leiz fisher’s formular was adopted. 
Thus, 384 respondents were considered at the sample 
size using systematic sampling technique. Consequently, a 
structured questionnaire was designed and distributed to 
all the selected students in these schools as follows: 

• 64 respondents from  Fiwasaye Girls Grammar 
School, Akure;

• 64 respondents from  Ondo Boys High School, Ondo;
• 64 respondents from  Jubilee College, IkareAkoko; 
• 64 respondents from  Owo High School, Owo; 
• 64 respondents from  Holy Saviours High School, Ile 

Oluji and
• 64 respondents from  Stella Maris College, Okitipupa)

The instrument used for data collection is a questionnaire 
which was constructed by the researchers to obtain 
information from the respondents for the purpose of  the 
study. The research instrument has four sectors: Section 
A, B, C and D. Section A deals with the bio-data of  the 
respondents. Section B and other sections consist of  
questions raised in the research questions embedded in 
chapter one of  the projects. The questions were open & 
closed ended questions. The researchers was personally 
involved in administering the questionnaire but was 
assisted by some of  the school teachers at a point. Also, 
some of  the teachers assisted in the collection of  the 
filled questionnaire from the students. 

Data Presentation Analysis
The Data generated were analyzed using  descriptive 
statistics such as: frequency table, percentage and 
inferential statistic(Chi-square).
Table 1 presents the demographic profile of  the 

Table 1: Social Demographic Profile of  the Respondents 
Variables Frequency Percentage 
Gender
Male 200 52.08
Female 184 47.91
Total  384 100
Age Group (year) 
<12 200 52.08
12yrs – 14 yrs 100 26.04
15yrs and above 84 21.87
Total 284 100
Educational Status 
JSS1 184 47.91
JSS2 100 26.04
JSS3 100 26.04
Total 384 100
Religion 
Christianity 305 79.4
Islam 75 19.5
Traditional 4 1.04
Total 384 100
Marital Status of  the Parents 
Married 338 88.02
Single 14 3.64
Divorced 18 4.68
Separated 15 3.98



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respondents by gender, age, religious status, educational 
status etc. 
The result shows that the majority of  the respondents 
were male respondents 52.08% while 47.9 were female. 
52.08% were less than twelve years of  age while 26.04% 
were between ages of  12-14yrs and 21.8% accounts for 
age 15yrs and above. With respects to education status 
47.9% of  the students were in JSS1 while 26.04% were 

in JSS2 and 26.04% were in JSS3. Their religion status 
reveals 79.4% Christians, 19.5% Muslim and 1.0% 
Traditionalists.

Research Question 1
What is the level of  knowledge of  respondents on 
Malnutrition?
The below table presents the respondents knowledge 

Total 384 100
Type of  Marriage of  the Parents 
Monogamy 242 63.02
Polygamy 142 36.9
Total 384 100
Level of  Education of  the Parents 
No Formal Education 20 5.2
Primary School Education 29
Secondary School Education 250 76.3
Tertiary Education 105 27.3
Total 384 100 

Table 2: Response on Knowledge of  Malnutrition Among Respondents 
Variables Yes% No% 
Where Do You Hear About Malnutrition?
TV 288(75%) 96(25%)
Radio/ Jingle 299(77,86%) 85(22.14%)
Newspaper 249(65%) 135(35%)
Parents 230(60%) 154(40%)
Schools 300(78.13%) 84(21.87%)
Can  non-availability of  food at home result in malnutrition? 381(99.22%) 3(0.78%) 
Can the financial status of  the parents cause malnutrition? 381(99.22%) 3(0.78%) 
Malnutrition can cause disease in the body ? 380(98.96%) 4(1.04%) 
Poor hygiene condition contribute to issue of  malnutrition? 230(60%) 154(40%) 
Malnutrition is as a result of  poor knowledge of  food preparation on the part 
of  parents?

222(58%) 162(42%) 

Malnutrition is caused by inflated price of  food item in the market? 307(80%) 77(20%) 
Large family size can bring about malnutrition? 380(98.96%) 4(1.04%)
Malnutrition is common among the children of  the poor? 288(75%) 96(25%)

on malnutrition. The result shows that the majority of  
the respondents 300 representing 78% heard about the 
issue of-malnutrition from the school. 381 representing 
99.22% agreed that inability of  food at home can result 
in malnutrition while 3 of  them representing 0.78% 
answered in contrary. As regards the financial status of  
the parents 381 of  99.22% of  the students agreed that 
the poor financial status of  the parents can contribute 
to issue of  malnutrition 222(58%) of  the students 
agreed that poor knowledge of  food preparation on the 
part of  the parents contribute to issue of  malnutrition 
while 162 (42%) disagree. The majority of  the students 

380 representing 98.96% agreed that large family size 
to contribute two issue of  malnutrition while 4(1.04%) 
disagree with the assertion. This implies that majority of  
the respondents have good knowledge about malnutrion. 

Research Question 2
What is the level of  perception of  students of  public 
secondary school in Ondo state on malnutrition? 
The below table presents the perceptions of  the 
students on malnutrition. The table reveals that 380 
of  the respondents representing 98.96% agreed that 
malnutrition is common among the children of  the poor 



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while  4 (1.04%) disagree. In the same vein, 380 of  the 
respondents i.e. 96.9% agreed that malnutrition do affect 
the students – concentration in class. As regards the 
financial status of  parents majority of  the respondents 
288 (75%) agreed that children of  the rich cannot suffer 
from malnutrition. 249(65%) of  the respondents, equally 
averred that most of  the malnourished children are from 
divorced or separated parents while only 135 representing 
35% disagree. In the same vein, 307(80%) of  the 
respondents agree that malnutrition can also be caused by 
worm infestation while 77 representing 20% disagree with 

the assertion. This implies that majority of  the respondent 
have high level of  perception about malnutrition.

Research Question 3
What are the effects of  malnutrition on Academic 
performance among students of  public secondary 
schools in Ondo state?
The table 3 above presents perception of  effects of  
malnutrition on academic performance among the 
respondents, the majority of  the respondents agree that 
mal nourished children usually have low intelligence 

Table 3: Responses on perception of  malnutrition among the respondents 
Variables Yes% No% 
Malnutrition can contribute to students failure in an examination 222(58%) 162(42%) 
Malnutrition usually leads to truancy on the part of   students 222(58%) 162(42%) 
Malnutrition usually affects students contributions in class 380(98.96%) 4(1.04%) 
Malnourished students are usually fall sick 288(75%) 96(25%) 
Children of  the rich cannot suffer malnutrition 288(75%) 96(25%) 
Most of  the malnourished children are from divorced or separated parents 249(65%) 135(35%) 
Malnutrition can only be caused worm infestation  307(80%) 77(20%) 
Malnutrition is common among the children of  the rural dweller 230(60%) 154(40%) 

Table 4: Responses on effects of  malnutrition among the respondents
Malnutrition is common among the children of  the poor 380(98.96%) 4(1.04%) 
Malnutrition affects students concentration in the class 288(75%) 96(25%) 
Malnourished children usually have low intelligence 222(58%) 162(42%) 
Malnourished children are prone to various diseases  381(99.21%) 3(0.78%) 
Malnourished students usually isolate themselves from others 288(75%) 96(25%) 
Malnourished students always engaged in bullying and fighting 222(57.8%) 162(42,2%) 
Malnutrition results in stunted growth 230(60%) 54(40%) 
Issue of  malnutrition contributed to high school drop out 189(49%) 195(51%) 

222(57.8%). Also, 381 representing 99.21% of  the 
respondents agree that malnourished children are usually 
prone to diseases while only 3 representing 0.78% disagree. 
On the issue of  class interaction 288 representing 75% of  
the respondents agree that malnourished children usually 
isolate themselves from others while in class. With respect 
to bullying among students in school 222 representing 
57.8% the respondent s agree that malnourished children 
do not engage in bullying and in fighting in school. 
On the issue of  physical growth of  children, majority 
of  the respondents 230 representing 60% averred that 
malnutrition can bring about stunted growth on the part 
of  children. This implies that majority of  the respondents 

have good knowledge about the effects malnutrition 
among public secondary school students in Ondo State.
 
Hypotheses Testing 
H01 
There is no significant relationship between respondent’s 
demographic profiles and incidence malnutrition.
The result from the above table shows there is significant 
association between respondents demographic profiles 
and incidence of  malnutrition in public secondary schools 
students in Ondo state (r= 2.0, p<0.000). Therefore, null 
hypothesis is rejected. 

Table 5: 
Variable N Mean Std r Sig 
Demographic Profile 384 31.02 4.27133 2.0 0.000
Malnutrition 384 35.250 2.753

n=384 



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Am. J. Phys. Educ. Health Sci. 3(1) 20-29, 2025

H02
There is no significant relationship between respondents 
knowledge of  malnutrition and academic performance in 
public secondary schools Ondo state.
The result from the above table shows that there is 

significant relationship between respondents knowledge 
of  malnutrition and academic performance among 
students of  public secondary schools Ondo state (r= 3.0, 
p< .000). Hence, null hypothesis should be rejected.

Table 6: 
Variable N Mean Std r Sig 
Knowledge of  Malnutrition 384 32.92 3.434  3.0 0.000
Malnutrition 384 35.250 2.753

n=384 

Table 6: 
Variable N Mean Std r Sig 
Perception of  Malnutrition 384 29.441 6.324 2.755 0.000
Academic Performance 384 35.252 

n=384 

Table 7: 
Variable N Mean Std r Sig 
Implication of  Malnutrition 384 28.41 5.234 3.50 0.000
Academic Performance 384 34.250 2.755

n=384 

H03
There is no significant relationship between respondents 
perception of  malnutrition and academic performance in 
public secondary schools in Ondo state.

Result from the above table shows that is significant 
relationship between respondents perception of  
malnutrition and academic performance (r= 2.755, 
p<.000). Hence, null hypothesis should be rejected.

H04
There is no significant relationship between effects 
of  malnutrition and academic performance in public 
secondary schools in Ondo state.

Result from the above table shows there is significant 
relationship between the effects of  malnutrition and 
academic performance (r= 3.50, P< .000). Hence, null 
hypothesis should be rejected.

RESULTS DISCUSSION
The purpose of  the study was to determine the knowledge 
and perception of  malnutrition on academic performance 
among secondary school students referencing some 
selected secondary schools across the three senatorial 
districts in Ondo state. The study shows that majority of  
the students have good knowledge of  malnutrition. The 
study reveals that 78.13% of  the respondents heard about 
malnutrition from the school. Also, 381(99.22%) agreed 
that non-availability of  food at home can make children 
to be malnourished. In the same vein, 97.2% representing 
381 of  the students are aware that poor financial status 
of  the parents can contribute to the issue of  malnutrition. 
In a like manner, the majority of  the respondents 380 
representing 98.96% agree that large family size contribute 
to issue of  malnutrition among students. On issue of  
perception of  malnutrition among the respondents, the 
study further shows that the majority of  the respondent 
98% agree that malnutrition can affect learners 
concentration in the class. Also, 249 representing 65% of  
the respondents, agree that ,most of  the malnourished 
children are from broken homes (divorced or separated). 

About 288(75%) of  the respondents equally agree that 
most of  the malnourished students are from poor family. 
On the effects of  malnutrition on academic performance. 
The study reveals that majority of  the respondents aware 
of  the implications of  malnutrition on the academic 
performance. The study reveals that the majority of  
the respondents agree that malnourished children 
usually have low intelligence 222(68%). Also, 381 of  the 
respondents representing99.21% agree that malnourished 
children Are usually prone to diseases. On the issue of  
interaction among students in the class the majority 
of  the respondents 288 representing 75% agree that 
malnourished children usually isolate themselves from 
others while in class. With regard to issue of  bullying 
among students, 222 representing 57.8% averred that most 
malnourished children do engage in bullying in the school 
and equally reveals that the majority of  the respondents 
230 representing 60% agree that malnutrition can bring 
about stunted growth on part of  children. 
According to the study, there is significant association 
between respondents knowledge of  malnutrition 
academic performance (r=3.0 p<.000). In the same 



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vein, there is also a significant relationship between 
respondents perception of  malnutrition and academic  
performance (r= 2.755, P <.000).
This study concluded that over 95 of  school children 
in the area have good knowledge and perception of  
malnutrition among learners and it is similar to the 
findings of  the study carried out by Amoah (2019) on 
Academic performance of  students in the Basic schools 
in Ghana. In the same vein, the findings of  the study that 
most students have good knowledge and perception of  
malnutrition among learners in the area aligned with the 
findings of  Galal and Hulett (2003) on the relationship 
between nutrition and children’s education performance: 
a focus on the United Arab emirates.
The findings of  this study which averred that students 
have good knowledge of  malnutrition and are quite 
aware of  some of  its effects contrasted the findings of   
Fentiman, Hall, Bundy in 1999 on school enrolment 
patterns in rural Ghana: A comparative study of  the 
impact of  location, gender, age and health on children’s 
access to basic schooling comparative education. 
After due juxtaposition, with respect to the locations 
of  the previous studies, the following remedies were 
recommended. 
However, future researchers should enlist more schools 
in the scientific excursion to get a boarder participation. 
Data were generated from the information freely supplied 
by the respondents whose identity remain confidential. 
This research was not sponsored but self-financed    

CONCLUSION
Based on the findings from the study it is concluded 
that the students of  public secondary schools in 
Ondo state have good knowledge and perception of  
malnutrition. As regards their responses on the effects 
of  malnutrition on academic performance, the majority 
agree that malnutrition has negative effects on academic 
performance. Although few of  them disagree with the 
assertion but by and large the majority were quite aware.

RECOMMENDATIONS
The findings of  the study reveal that all the factors 
investigated are important in a  bid to enable the 
concerned bodies to design interventions. Hence, the 
following measures are-recommended:

1. There should be a comprehensive nutrition education 
among the target population by health workers with a 
particular emphasis on the importance of  balanced diet 
to students.

2. There should be more advocacy programmes for the 
prevention and control of  malnutrition in our schools.

3. Government should further improve on the home 
grown school feeding programmes for schools by 
extending it to secondary schools as it will go along way in 
addressing the problem of  malnutrition among learners. 

4. Government and NGOs should intensify awareness 
campaign on food security among the populace. 

5. Government should make it compulsory for schools 
to have school farm in order to alleviate the issue of  

malnutrition among learners.
6. Birth control advocacies should be intensified to 

reduce large family size among the residents.
7. Implementation of  socio- economic policies that 

would alleviate the high level of  poverty and hardship 
among the citizens so as to provide food for the 
households

8. Distribution of  vitamin A and iron supplements in 
schools

9. Integration of  nutrition education in education 
curricular

10. Increase support for rural farmers to boost food 
production 

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