Title: Fruits and Vegetables Consumption Pattern Among Female Undergraduate Students Of A Nigerian University.
Authors: Onigbinde, Abraham Olalere and Obanewa, Eniola Kofoworola.
Volume: 9
Issue: 5
Pages: 116-122
Publication Date: 2025/05/28
Abstract:
Fruits and vegetables intake is considered an important dietary practices due to their high concentrations of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and phytochemicals. The global changes in dietary habits requires that the impact on the young population be continuously assessed for the purpose of informed interventions, when necessary. Hence, this study assessed the consumption pattern of fruits and vegetables as well as the influencing factors. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 150 female undergraduate students of a University in Nigeria, selected using a simple random sampling approach. A closed ended questionnaire was used to obtain information on the F & V consumption pattern as well as the factors that influenced their consumption. SPSS 23 was used for the data analysis. The results showed that more than 80% of the female undergraduates consume banana (Musa acuminate), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), plantain (Musa × paradisiaca), apple (Malus domestica), mango (Mangifera indica), pineapple (Ananas comosus), pawpaw (Carica papaya) and guava (Psidium guajava) while only less than half reported intake of grape (Citrus × paradise). Over 80% of the female students claimed intake of Telferia occidentalis (pumpkin leaf), Abelmoschus esculentus (okro), Velonia amygdalia (bitter leaf), Brassica oleracea (cabbage), Daucus carota (carrots) and Solanum melongena (garden eggs). Only few (<7%) of the female undergraduate consume fruits 5-7 days in a week. For vegetables, about 57% reported almost daily consumption of bitter leaf; 24.7% okro, 38.0% pumpkin leaf, 14% Amaranthus hybridus (green) and 12% Cucumis sativus (cucumber). This study showed that majority of the students consumed fruits and vegetables due to understanding of the health benefits while majority (83%) also claim to consume Velonia amygdalia because of its medicinal properties. The result also shows that sweet taste and awareness of the health benefits were the dominant factors for the consumption of the fruits while health benefits and medicinal purposes influence the consumption of vegetables by majority of the students. However, despite the high awareness of the importance of fruits and vegetables, this study revealed poor to moderate consumption of fruits among the female undergraduate students. Although the reasons given were the high cost and some clinical complaints, the result of this study suggests that the population perceived the consumption of fruits and vegetables as snacks and not an essential component of their daily meal.