ABSTRACT
Unhealthy food
choices are one of the most important precursors of overweight, obesity and
development of Non-Communicable Diseases. This study was aimed to identify the
drivers of food choices among households in Umuahia North and South L.G.A, Abia
State. . The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study and a multi-stage sampling technique was used to
select a total of 400 households. Data on socio-demographic/economic
characteristics, food purchasing and cooking practice, feeding behavior and
factors affecting food choice were collected
using structured and validated questionnaire. The IBM SPSS version 22.0
computer programme was used to analyze the data. Data obtained were described
using frequency and percentage. Chi square was used to analyse the relationship
between factors influencing food choice and Socio demographic/economic
characteristics of respondents. A p
value of ≤ 0.05 was considered
significant. From the result, more than half (59.5%) of the respondents
were females within 31-40 years (41.5%). Most of the respondents consumed
cereals (53.5%), roots and tubers (59.3%), vitamin A rich vegetables (59.3%),
dark green leafy vegetables (61.3%), eggs (50.8%), fish and sea foods (58.5%),
oil and fats (60.0%) and other vegetables (66.0%) less than three times a week.
Other food groups such as vitamin A rich fruits (45.0%), other fruits
(40.8%),organ meat (36.0%) and milk products (32.0%) were consumed 4-6 times.
Price of food, ethical concerns, mood, weight control, convenience,
familiarity, health and sensory appeal were the important drivers of food
choice in this study. Most (68.3%) of the respondents agreed that women were
responsible for purchasing household items and were responsible for cooking in
the household (73.5%). The most common method of food preparation by the
respondents (73.5%) was boiling. majority (83.0%) of them skip meals and more
than half (54.8%) eat at a restaurant 7-8 or more times weekly. Result revealed
that there was a significant relationship between respondent’s mood, familiarity
of food and their age and gender (p<0.05). There was also a significant
relationship between the drivers of food choice, household income and family
size (p<0.05). Different strategies and interventions are necessary to
create supportive food environments, influence consumer awareness and spur
behavioural change that can lead to healthier food choices. Public
health/sanitary extension services should be trained to deliver mutually
reinforcing messages that promote sustainable food production, improved dietary
intakes, and improved sanitation and health.
BLESSING, N (2024). Identifying The Drivers Of Food Choice Among Adult In House Hold Level In Umuahia North And South L.G.A, Abia State :- Hyacinth, Blessing N. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Oct 09, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/identifying-the-drivers-of-food-choice-among-adult-in-house-hold-level-in-umuahia-north-and-south-lga-abia-state-hyacinth-blessing-n-7-2
NWADINMA, BLESSING. "Identifying The Drivers Of Food Choice Among Adult In House Hold Level In Umuahia North And South L.G.A, Abia State :- Hyacinth, Blessing N" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 10 Sep. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/identifying-the-drivers-of-food-choice-among-adult-in-house-hold-level-in-umuahia-north-and-south-lga-abia-state-hyacinth-blessing-n-7-2. Accessed 09 Oct. 2024.
NWADINMA, BLESSING. "Identifying The Drivers Of Food Choice Among Adult In House Hold Level In Umuahia North And South L.G.A, Abia State :- Hyacinth, Blessing N". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 10 Sep. 2024. Web. 09 Oct. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/identifying-the-drivers-of-food-choice-among-adult-in-house-hold-level-in-umuahia-north-and-south-lga-abia-state-hyacinth-blessing-n-7-2 >.
NWADINMA, BLESSING. "Identifying The Drivers Of Food Choice Among Adult In House Hold Level In Umuahia North And South L.G.A, Abia State :- Hyacinth, Blessing N" Mouau.afribary.org (2024). Accessed 09 Oct. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/identifying-the-drivers-of-food-choice-among-adult-in-house-hold-level-in-umuahia-north-and-south-lga-abia-state-hyacinth-blessing-n-7-2