The Effect of Nutritional Awareness on Food Choices among University Students: A Survey Study

This research sought to find out how nutritional awareness affects the food choices of university students concerning knowledge and other factors. Respondents represented students of the universities, 300 people aged 18-25 years, and randomly selected from a pool of students of different faculties. Information was obtained using a self-administered closed-ended questionnaire with items on nutritional knowledge and food preferences including cost, preference, and other people’s influence. A cross-sectional quantitative approach was used and the data analysis was done by using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and regression tests, ANOVA. This confirmed the second hypothesis that there is a positive relationship between nutritional awareness and the choice of a healthy diet, F = 3. 303; p < 0.05. Nevertheless, the study revealed other factors that acted as mediating factors in the awareness and behavior relationship including; financial factors and culture. Moreover, gender and field of study were observed to influence food choices, hence the statistically significant result (p < 0.05). Based on the findings of this study, it can be recommended that, although nutritional awareness is crucial in supporting the eating behavior, work aimed at financial and cultural determinants of the process must be continued. Due to these findings, the authors call for better and specific educational intervention and policies to promote healthier eating environments for university students. Keywords: Nutritional awareness, Food choices, Healthy eating, Dietary habits, Nutritional education, Behavioral change DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/123-09 Publication date: November 30th 2024