PROTEIN CALORIE MALNUTRITION (PCM) IN PLATEAU STATE: AN ANALYSIS OF BASIC NUTRITIONAL DETERMINANTS AT THE HOUSEHOLD LEVEL, 2015-2020

Abstract

This study examines the prevalence of protein-calorie malnutrition among rural households in Plateau State, Nigeria, within the broader context of basic nutritional determinants. Despite being in the Middle Belt region with substantial agricultural potential, rural households in Plateau State continue to face a significant level of Protein deficiencies that manifest in widespread malnutrition. This research analyses the relationship between basic nutritional needs and the incidence of protein-calorie malnutrition, investigating how limited economic resources constrain access to adequate dietary protein and caloric intake. The study employs a qualitative method, drawing primarily on textual and oral interviews to capture the complexity of household income and consumption habits, to understand the nature of malnutrition in Plateau State. Findings indicate a strong correlation between protein-calorie malnutrition and basic nutritional determinants, with vulnerability observed among children under five and pregnant women. The research identifies critical barriers to adequate nutrition, including seasonal food shortages, limited dietary diversity, inadequate nutrition knowledge, restricted access to protein-rich foods, and inadequate access to infrastructural and social amenities. The study concludes with policy recommendations aimed at addressing malnutrition through integrated approaches that combine poverty alleviation strategies, nutrition education initiatives, and targeted social protection interventions