Factors Influencing Food Choices among Undergraduates at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

Food choices of undergraduates have become increasingly unhealthy which put them at risk of malnutrition. This study investigated factors influencing such food choices among undergraduates at the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. The population of the study comprised all undergraduates registered for 2018/2019 academic session at the university. The descriptive research design of survey type was adopted for quantitative data and focus group discussion (FGD) was used for qualitative data. Four hundred and seventy-three (473) respondents were selected for the study with the use of simple, proportionate and convenience sampling techniques. Fifteen respondents participated in the focus group discussion (FGD). Researchers’ designed questionnaire that had been validated by four experts in the related field was used for the quantitative data.  A test-retest method was used to ascertain the reliability of the instrument and the result of 0.80r was obtained. Inferential statistics of Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to analyse the result of data collected. The three null hypotheses set for the study rejected at 0.05 alpha level of significance. This implies that there was a significant relationship in factors such as biological, economic, social and food choice among undergraduates at the University of Ilorin. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the university authority should organize enlightenment programme to educate students on the value of selecting the right food for consumption to improve students’ health as well as cognitive capacity.