Nutritional Knowledge, Dietary Practices and Consumption Pattern of Fruits and Vegetables among In-school Adolescents in LAUTECH International College, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies remain a significant public health concern in Nigeria, particularly among young adolescents. These deficiencies can lead to adverse health outcomes, including osteoporosis, osteomalacia, thyroid dysfunction, colorectal cancer, and cardiovascular disorders. This study assessed the nutritional knowledge, dietary practices, and consumption patterns of fruits and vegetables among in-school adolescents attending LAUTECH International College, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Methodology: This study was descriptive cross-sectional in design. Two hundred and sixteen (216) students of LAUTECH International College, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria were selected using stratified random sampling techniques. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from the respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as chi-square test was used for the data analysis.

Results: The study revealed that the mean age of the students were 13.33 ± 1.69 years, 55.6% of the students demonstrated good knowledge, though there were areas where understanding was high, in spite of this, 58% dietary practices of fruits and vegetables. 34.3% showed preference for fruits and vegetables during break time in school. Price (36.6%), availability (29.3%) and quality (21.8%) prevented the students from eating fruits and vegetables. From the chi-square test, the study showed that there was no statistical association between nutritional knowledge and dietary practices of fruits and vegetables consumption of the students (x2 = 0.309, p = 0.579>0.05).

Conclusion: The study revealed a disparity between nutritional knowledge and dietary practices, with relatively good dietary practices observed despite poor knowledge. Daily consumption of fruits and vegetables was found to be moderate.