ABSTRACT

This research was conducted to assess the prevalence of food neophobia among NYSC members in Abia state. The study evaluated the types of food served to NYSC members in camp, levels of food neophobia amongst the corps members, reasons for food rejection and ways of improving NYSC camp food acceptability. The research was carried out in Abia state Nigeria. Population size was 7277 consisting of 2018 Batch ‘A’ and ‘B’ corps members. The sample size of 192 was determined using stratified random sampling technique from Umuahia North and South, Aba North, Bende and Ohafia local government areas. The research was carried out with a structured questionnaire. Statistical tools used were frequency for data organization, percentages to describe demographic characteristics, research questions were answered using mean and standard deviations while hypotheses were analysed using z-test and ANOVA at Probability level of 5 %. From the results, the gender distribution was 48% male and 52% female; the distribution based on ethnicity was 55.2 % for Igbo, 15.1for % Hausa, and 29.7 % for Yoruba. Meals 11, 15 and 16 were mostly never eaten. Strangeness of food and fear was major contributors to food neophobia amongst the corps members. Effects of Geopolitical zones of institutions from where the NYSC members graduated from were significant (P ≤ 0.05) on the reasons for rejection of camp food. There was no significant difference (P ≥ 0.05) on the suggestions of NYSC members from Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba ethnic groups on how to improve camp food acceptability to corps members in Abia State. There was no significant difference (P ≥ 0.05) on food neophobic levels of batch 2018 ‘A’ and ‘B’ NYSC members. In conclusion, the study revealed some of the reasons NYSC members rejected some of the meals offered by the camp kitchen in Abia state and suggested that with some improvements in meal planning, preparation and service as well as more information on meals served, there will be a higher acceptance of meals served by the NYSC camp kitchen. It was therefore recommended among others that NYSC members should be encouraged to be open to try new foods while on the National Youth Service program, this is in line with the aim of NYSC which states that “the NYSC is being established with the view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity” and The camp organizers should incorporate native meals of other tribes, snacks, fruits and fruit juices in the camp food menu to increase the camp food acceptability.