ABSTRACT

A cross-sectional survey was carried out to evaluate the consumption pattern of fruits and vegetables, the preferences, practices, attitude, and nutrition knowledge of 1O males and females undergraduate in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU). The subjects involved in this study were randomly se3cted. Questionnaire and anthropometrics were used to collect the data for the 3tudy. The questionnaire was validated by lecturers in the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, MOUAU and used to obtain information on consumption pattern of fruits and vegetables, the practices, attitude and nutrition knowledge of the subject. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the information obtained. About 120% of the subject answered correctly the definition of fruits and vegetables. Approximately forty seven (46.9%) of the subjects answered correctly the major nutrient obtained from vegetables (43.6% males, 49.3% females). Fifty six percent (56%) of the subjects answered correctly that lack of fruit in the body result to scurvy (32.7% males, 72.6% females). Majority 51.6% of the subjects obtained their fruits and vegetables from market (42.6% males, 58.1% females). A greater percentage (92.8) of the subject eats vegetable because of its important to human health. A higher degree of consumption of fruits was observed, male subject were significantly (P<0.05) taller than the females (176.38 cm vs 163.31 cm). Male subjects weighed more than the female subjects (60.01 kg). The difference in weight of male and female subjects was significantly (P><0.05). The me n BMI vaue of the females was (23.44kg/rn2) higher than male BMI (21.33kg/mH. Female students had higher mean mid upper arm circumference (MJAC) value (11.77 cm) than male (0.51 cm). However, it was observed that thE. respondents knew the importance of fruits and vegetables to human health, but ws poorly reflected in their eating habit due to unavailability of funds and some fr. ts an d vegetable at certain time of the year><0.05) taller than the females (176.38 cm vs 163.31 cm). Male subjects weighed more than the female subjects (60.01 kg). The difference in weight of male and female subjects was significantly (P<0.05). The me n BMI vaue of the females was (23.44kg/rn2) higher than male BMI (21.33kg/mH. Female students had higher mean mid upper arm circumference (MJAC) value (11.77 cm) than male (0.51 cm). However, it was observed that the respondents knew the importance of fruits and vegetables to human health, but was poorly reflected in their eating habit due to unavailability of funds and some fruits an d vegetable at certain time of the year.><0.05). The mean BMI value of the females was (23.44kg/m²) higher than male BMI (21.33kg/mh. Female students had higher mean mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) value (11.77 cm) than male (0.51 cm). However, it was observed that the respondents knew the importance of fruits and vegetables to human health, but was poorly reflected in their eating habit due to unavailability of funds and some fruits an d vegetable at certain time of the year.