University Students’ Preferences for and Consumption Patterns of fruits and Vegetables: Implication for Nutrition Education Interventions

Abstract

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), there has been a drastic reduction in the consumption of fruits and vegetables (FVs) in Ghana. However, not much empirical studies on FVs consumption pattern among university students have been undertaken. This cross-sectional study was therefore conducted to examine FVs consumption among 903 randomly sampled university students. The result revealed that although approximately 49.9% and 48.4% asserted that it is important to consume FVs because of its nutritional value and health benefits, it was not translated into their consumption practices. Out of a list of 14 fruits provided, for 8 fruits, less than 10% indicated that they consumed them at least thrice in the past one week prior to the study. Green leafy vegetables like spinach and amaranthus were preferred by less than 50% of the surveyed students. Generally, a higher proportion of the female students that were enrolled in the study consumed more vegetables than their male counterparts. The three major challenges reported by students which prevented them from eating FVs everyday were seasonal availability, cost/high prices of FVs and fear of chemical contamination. The findings suggest the need for interventions that focus on growing organic FVs on a large scale without the application of any chemicals and ensuring all-year availability. Perhaps, University Teaching Farms can take up this challenge and supply organic grown FVs at reduced prices to students at their various halls and hostels of residence in order to encourage students to consume them.