ABSTRACT

The issue of food provision and food promotion has been a major concern globally due to its impact on public health and well-being, which has been linked to the rise in non-communicable (NCDs) disease such as obesity, diabetes and heart diseases. This study reviews evidence on the nature and extent of food promotion and food provision in Nigeria which expose consumers to commercial influences and thus might affect their dietary and buying behaviour. The study employed prisma protocol in the generation of evidence. Comprehensive research was conducted across three major academic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar and African Online Journal.  Articles were included if the studies were conducted in Nigeria, examining food provision and food promotion, published in English language, published in other languages with English translation, with original articles and published from 2000-to-date (2023). Data extraction was facilitated by utilizing IBM SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). The extracted data included study characteristics such as author, year of publication, country/location, study design, sample size, sampling technique, variables, study instruments, data analysis and key findings. A total of 1,420 articles were identified in the search and 22 were included in the final analysis. The studies were conducted in different geo-political zones in Nigeria. Four 4(18.2%) studies were conducted in both North Central, and South East, eleven (11) in South West, two (2) in north east and only one (5.3%) had a multiple zone. Quality assessment/ appraisal was also performed using Joanna's Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool. A total of thirteen (13) studies had a high quality of 8/11, and 7/11, five studies (two and three) had a medium quality of 6/11 and 5/11 respectively and four studies had the least/low quality of 4/11. The collective findings from a series of studies provide a multifaceted perspective on food promotion, food provision, and their impact on consumer behavior in Nigeria. First and foremost, advertising, particularly through television, exerts a significant influence on consumer behavior. It is apparent that exposure to advertisements for sugary and high-fat snacks significantly increases the likelihood of choosing such products, particularly among the youth. Additionally, Children aged 11-12 show the most positive reactions to television advertising, followed by younger age groups. The exploration of food provision environments uncovers essential insights. Informal ready-to-eat food vending practices exhibit differentiation in terms of food diversity, with traditional food vendors offering a wider array of options.  The school food environment is marked by high exposure to sugar-sweetened beverages, leading to frequent consumption among adolescents. In the context of school food provision, the National Home-Grown School Feeding Program (NHGSFP) significantly impacts the nutritional status of children in rural households. However, concerns are raised about the quality of school meals and deworming practices, highlighting areas for improvement. Lastly, government initiatives are pivotal in shaping the food environment. It was recommended that enhanced collaborations, policy development and implementation, public awareness campaigns, methodological uniformity, research priorities, institutional, commitment to food environment to address and regulate food promotion and provision to promote healthier choices and improved nutrition in Nigeria.