Abstract:
Dietary habits of students especially on the consumption of fruits and vegetables have several implications for their physical growth and health status. The study explored consumer awareness and factors that influence the consumption of fruits and vegetables among student of Northern School of Business, Tamale. Four research questions and three hypotheses were used. Descriptive research was used and stratified sampling and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 771 respondents for the study. The primary tool utilized to gather data was a 46-item questionnaire. The data was analysed and presented in frequencies, percentages, averages, and standard deviations. The study revealed that, respondents were knowledgeable on fruits and vegetables consumption and as a result, they were seen to have a positive attitude towards its consumption. This shows student’s awareness on the intake of fruits and vegetables. The study showed that students were generally not consuming fruits and vegetables regularly especially the fruits. The study further revealed that availability was a main factor that influenced their consumption of fruits and vegetables consumption. The results revealed a statistically significant difference between males and females fruits and vegetables consumption pattern. There is a difference in the mean value for males (M=38.870) and females (M=36.70) hence the implication that males and females do not have the same fruits and vegetable consumption pattern. Stakeholders such as schools board and management should come up with a policy to encourage sale of fruits and vegetables and limit sale of unhealthy foods on school premises. There should be social structures concentrating on young people to improve their perspectives regarding eating out because students typically buy their own food.
