ABSTRACT

This study aim is to determine the knowledge, consumption patterns of antioxidant rich and ultra processed foods by young adults (18-25 years) in Enugu metropolis. The study was a cross-sectional survey of 200 young adults randomly selected for the study. A well-structured and validated questionnaire was used to collect information on the socio-economic and demographic characteristics, Knowledge of antioxidant and ultra processed foods which was graded and the consumption pattern of antioxidant and ultra-processed foods. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Chi-square analysis was used to assess the relationship between their knowledge and consumption pattern of the young adults using (SPSS) version 23.0. The result of the analysis revealed that 43.0% of the adults were aged between 21-23 years, 52.5% of the young adults were females, 47.5% were males and 33.5% earned above 90 thousand naira per month. More than half (58.5%) had tertiary education. Majority (66.0%) of the adults had good knowledge of antioxidant-rich foods and 98.5% had good knowledge of ultra-processed. This study also showed the consumption pattern of antioxidants by the young adults and half (50%) of them consumed fruits occasionally only 4.5% consumed fruits twice and three times a day. Cereals (50%) and animal products (56.5%), herbs and spices (55.5%), and beverages (57.5%) were consumed occasionally by the adults. The consumption pattern of ultra-processed food by the young adults showed that, more than half (57.5%) consumed biscuits/cookies occasionally, cakes (54.0%), chocolates (60.0%), and commercially produced and packaged bread, buns and chin-chin (56.5%). More than half of the adults (55.0%) consumed instant soups, pizza, sausages and sodas occasionally. Tinned meat (62%) and yoghurt (56%) was consumed by the young adult occasionally. This study also revealed no significant association (p>0.05) between knowledge of antioxidant foods and their consumption pattern. A significant association (p<0.05) was found between knowledge of ultra-processed foods and consumption patterns of some ultra-processed foods such as cake, candies, and canned meat. This ready revealed the need to develop intervention programs that will encourage and increase the consumption of antioxidant foods among young adults.