Abstract

The study assessed changes in food prices, food security and nutritional status of households in rural and urban communities in Southwest Nigeria. Data for this study were obtained through the aid of a structured questionnaire. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 320 households from Ogun and Oyo States of Southwest Nigeria. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that Ogun State had a mean age of 45.6 while Oyo State had a mean age of 43.5. Cassava flour (60.9%) and yam tuber (59.9%) witnessed the highest price percentage increase in RA and UA of Ogun State. In Oyo State, yam tuber witnessed the highest price percentage increase in both RA (41.3%) and UA (66.4%) of Oyo State. Furthermore, results revealed that 22.5% were food secure in RA of Ogun State, while only 15% were food secure in RA of Oyo State. On the other hand, 76.3% were food secure in UA of Ogun State compared to 71.3% in UA of Oyo State. Anthropometric result revealed that 82.6% of the respondents in the RAs of Ogun State had normal weight compared to 79.3% in the RA of Oyo State; as well as 96.1% and 93.1% in UA of Ogun and Oyo States respectively. In conclusion, variation exists in the percentage of households affected by increase in the prices of food items between rural and urban communities and across Oyo and Ogun States. More households are food secure in the urban with higher normal weight compared to rural communities. In order to improve food security and nutritional status in UAs and RAs, food distribution channel should be well integrated to reduce food prices.

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