Influence of Dietary Habits and Nutritional Awareness on Work Productivity Among Office Workers in Ilorin South.

ABSTRACT
This study investigated the influence of dietary habits and nutritional awareness on work productivity among office workers in Ilorin South, Kwara State. The objectives were to assess respondents’ sociodemographic profiles, evaluate dietary habits and nutritional awareness, analyze their relationship with work productivity, and identify barriers to adopting healthy dietary practices. The study was guided by five research questions and two hypotheses. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed, involving 250 randomly selected office workers across public and private sectors. Data were collected using a structured, validated questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Descriptive statistics summarized the data, while inferential statistics, specifically Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC), tested the hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. The results revealed a significant positive relationship between dietary habits and work productivity (r = 0.255, p = 0.000), and between nutritional awareness and work productivity (r = 0.176, p = 0.005), leading to the rejection of both null hypotheses. Despite moderate to high levels of nutritional awareness and relatively healthy dietary habits, the study found limited workplace support for nutritional wellness. It concluded that dietary practices and nutritional knowledge significantly enhance energy levels, concentration, and job satisfaction. The study recommended workplace interventions such as nutrition education programs, policy support for healthy eating, and accessible meal options to improve employee productivity. These findings emphasize the need for coordinated efforts by employers, public health stakeholders, and policymakers to promote workplace nutrition.