Drivers of food choice, meal pattern, and lifestyle habits among undergraduate students in Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background and objective: Food choice is a complex human behavior, which is influenced by many interdependent factors. University students are exposed to unhealthy eating habits and poor dietary intake. This could be attributable to the independent food choices made. This study assessed the drivers of food choice, patterns, and lifestyle habits of undergraduate students at Lead City University Ibadan, Nigeria.Method: The study adopted a cross-sectional design and a multistage random sampling technique to select 200 respondents. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, eating habits, and dietary practices were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire.Results: The mean age of the students was 21 ± 2 years,46% of the students ate thrice per day, 36% skipped breakfast daily and 17% consumed alcohol. The main drivers of food choice among the students were sensory appeal in which taste (79%), pleasant texture (54%), and nice smell (54%) of food were considered very important. Concerning health and natural food content, the respondents considered good feeling (74%), weight control (48%), no additives (46%), low-fat content (42%), and low-calorie content (35%) as very important associated factors. Good value for money (53%), not expensive (42%), and easy availability (49%) were very important economic factors for driving food choices among respondents.Conclusion: Sensory appeal, health and natural food content, and price and purchase convenience were major drivers of food choice among respondents. It is recommended that regular nutrition education programs by the institution with emphasis on healthy dietary practices should be provided for the students.

Nutritional Status, Food Consumption Pattern and Lifestyle Practices Of Bowen University Students, Iwo

“…While both studies show that most of the students are females, Mogeni and Ouma (2022) reported a near equal representation of 51.39% for females and 48.61% for male while this study observed a wide percentage difference (female; 81.3%). A similar study conducted among students if Lead City University also show that most of the respondents are females (67%) [8]. The participants were majorly Christians (98.7%) and Yoruba (73.6%), this could be due to the fact that Bowen University is a Christian University located in South-Western Nigeria (a Yoruba dominated geographical zone).…”

“…The participants were majorly Christians (98.7%) and Yoruba (73.6%), this could be due to the fact that Bowen University is a Christian University located in South-Western Nigeria (a Yoruba dominated geographical zone). Reference [8] showed that most (34%) of the respondents receive estimated monthly allowance that range between ₦10,001 and ₦20,000, followed by 22% who receive between ₦20,001 and ₦50.000. This is inconsistent with the findings of this study that showed that 34.5% of the respondents receive between ₦31000 and ₦40000 monthly followed by 31.9% who receive between ₦21000 and ₦30000 a month.…”