Consumption of fast food and dietary self-efficacy of university undergraduates in Nigeria

Abstract

Fast-food eating, a dietary pattern that used to be uniquely foreign, has gradually become part of the lifestyle of people in Nigeria, especially those in urban centres. However, studies have shown that the fat dietary behaviour of people while eating generally or in a fast-food restaurant will determine if they are going to be affected by the amount of fat they consume. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the level of consumption of fast food and dietary self-efficacy of undergraduates in three universities in south-west Nigeria to ascertain their confidence in engaging in fat-restrictive actions. A total number of 1950 undergraduate respondents participated in the study. The instrument used for collecting data was a questionnaire, and the data collected were analysed using Pearson's product–moment correlation and t-test. The results indicated that most of the respondents had high consumption of fast food and that the majority of them had moderate dietary self-efficacy in their ability to engage in fat-restrictive actions. Male and female respondents did not differ in the level of consumption of fast food and dietary self-efficacy. In addition, residential and non-residential undergraduates differ in consumption of fast food, but do not differ in dietary self-efficacy. It is concluded, therefore, that there is high consumption of fast foods and moderate dietary self-efficacy among the undergraduates.