Influence of Rising Cost of Food Prices on the Nutritional Status of Families in Ilorin Metropolis.

Rising food prices refer to the continuous and persistent increase in the cost of essential food commodities required for household consumption and nutritional well-being. It was observed that in Ilorin Metropolis, the rising cost of food has placed significant strain on household food choices, forcing many families particularly low- and middle-income groups, to compromise on dietary quality, nutrient intake, and overall health. The main objective of this study was to assess the influence of rising food prices on the nutritional status of families in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. Five (5) research objectives and questions were used, and two (2) hypotheses were formulated and tested at a 0.05 level of significance. A descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was employed for the study. The total population was 90,000 with a sample size of 240 respondents which was drawn using proportionate sampling techniques. Structured questionnaires were administered to collect data. Research questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage (%), mean (x̄), and standard deviation (SD). The null hypotheses were tested using inferential statistics, including Pearson Product Moment Correlation and independent t-tests, all at the 0.05 level of significance. The demographic distribution of respondents showed that (43.3%) were female and (56.7%) were male, with most households reporting monthly incomes below the national average. The findings revealed that (53.7%) of households experienced low dietary diversity, (29.2%) maintained moderate diversity, and only (17.1%) reported high dietary diversity despite rising food costs. Coping strategies commonly adopted included meal skipping, reducing portion sizes, and switching to cheaper but less nutritious food options. Hypothesis testing showed that rising food prices have a statistically significant negative impact on dietary diversity (B = –0.326, p = 0.000). Additionally, there was a significant negative correlation between rising food prices and nutrient intake levels (r = –0.512, p = 0.003). Coping mechanisms reported by households included reducing meal frequency, cutting portion sizes, and substituting cheaper but less nutritious food options, which contributed to reported health challenges such as fatigue, undernutrition, and increased illness. In conclusion, the study establishes that rising food prices significantly compromise household nutritional status, particularly by reducing dietary diversity and nutrient intake. The study recommends targeted government interventions, including food subsidies, strengthened local agricultural production, public nutrition education, and the implementation of social safety nets to mitigate the adverse effects of food inflation. Regular monitoring of food price trends and nutritional outcomes is essential for informing effective policies to protect vulnerable households in Ilorin Metropolis.