By Blessing Alalade

“Being broke is also a health issue.” Of course, this is not another alternative health article. It is the daily reality of a regular student. And in case the word “broke” sounds unrelatable in this context, it simply means being without money or having little money available.

For many university students, being broke is more than being unable to afford a new outfit, a night out or the latest phone. Sometimes, it determines what they eat, when they eat and whether they eat at all.

The average Nigerian university student is often overwhelmed, thinking and overthinking about what to eat before going for an early morning class or after a stressful, long day in class. This worry can come from a lack of money caused by insufficient upkeep from parents, guardians and sponsors, or poor financial management by students.

As students, our bodies need adequate food and water to support growth, energy, immunity and overall well-being. Nutrition plays a key role in meeting these needs.

Nutrition is more than simply eating. It concerns how the food we consume provides the nutrients the body needs for growth, energy, protection and overall well-being. The six classes of nutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals and water. Each plays an important role in keeping the body functioning properly.

The nutritional well-being of Nigerian university students is critical but often neglected. Parents, guardians, sponsors and even students themselves may focus heavily on academic performance, which is important, without considering the factors that support students’ ability to achieve those academic goals.

Being financially constrained can make it difficult for students to meet their nutritional needs, increasing the risk of poor nutrition and malnutrition.

A 2024 study conducted among undergraduates at Lead City University in Ibadan examined the relationship between meal skipping, dietary patterns and the double burden of malnutrition. The study found that financial constraints can influence students’ dietary choices, with students on limited budgets often opting for cheaper, less nutritious food options. It also identified lifestyle changes, stress and irregular schedules as factors that can contribute to unhealthy eating patterns.

The study also highlights the double burden of malnutrition, which refers to the coexistence of undernutrition and overnutrition. In other words, poor nutrition does not always result in someone becoming underweight. Students may also consume inexpensive, energy-dense foods that provide calories without providing adequate amounts of essential nutrients.

Meal skipping is another part of the problem. Breakfast was the meal students skipped most frequently in the study. For a student trying to save money for transport, data, lecture materials or other pressing needs, skipping a meal may seem like a harmless sacrifice. But repeated meal skipping can contribute to poorer dietary quality and nutritional problems.

This means that the student who skips meals because of financial pressure may be dealing with more than hunger. Poor nutrition can affect energy levels and overall well-being, potentially making it more difficult to cope with the demands of university life.

None of this means that going without money is a personal failure, or that there is a simple fix for a problem deeply connected to the economy and the cost of living. But small, informed choices can help reduce the nutritional consequences where possible.

Prioritise nutrient-dense foods over convenience where possible. A meal containing beans and an egg, for example, can provide more nutritional value than relying heavily on biscuits and soft drinks. Do not allow a tight budget to make meal skipping a routine. Where possible, plan available food and money around meals instead of repeatedly going without food.

Talk about it. Financial stress thrives in silence. Whether it is roommates pooling resources for meals or simply being honest with a guardian about insufficient upkeep, communication can open doors that assumptions keep shut.

Also, pay attention to persistent changes in your body and well-being. Persistent fatigue, poor concentration or unusual weight changes should not automatically be dismissed as “just stress.” They may be signs that something needs attention.

Being broke is often spoken about only in terms of what stops a person from buying a new outfit, going out or getting the latest phone. Rarely is it discussed in terms of what financial hardship can quietly do to a person’s nutrition and health over time.

But research among university students shows that financial constraints can influence food choices and meal patterns. And thousands of students living with financial pressure already understand the reality without needing a study to tell them.

It shows up in missed meals, fatigue during lectures and the difficulty of maintaining a healthy diet while trying to meet academic and financial demands.

The solution is not only about telling students to “eat better,” though that matters. It is also about recognising that financial hardship can become a health concern when it affects a student’s ability to eat adequately.

A hungry student is not simply an inconvenienced student. They are a student whose health and well-being may be affected by something as ordinary and overlooked as being broke.