Abstract
An understanding of dietary knowledge will most likely inform the consumption of healthy foods. Studies have shown that local (ofada) rice is superior to other rice brands in terms of protein and minerals crucial for overall mental and physical well-being. This study, therefore, examined the effect of households’ dietary knowledge on the consumption of local (ofada) rice, using a simultaneous equation system that accommodates censored dependent variable and continuous endogenous dietary knowledge. The study used survey data from 600 rice consumers’ households in southwest Nigeria and hypothesized that dietary knowledge affects the consumption of local (ofada) rice. The results revealed that dietary knowledge is significantly influenced by factors such as being a household meal planner and presence of household member(s) on a special diet. Dietary knowledge, as hypothesized, was found to positively influence the consumption of local (ofada) rice, as were some sociodemographic variables. The study recommends that effective dietary education about health and other benefits of consuming local (ofada) rice should be developed to promote its consumption in Nigerians’ diets.
Highlights
The importance of good nutrition for healthy living cannot be overemphasized
Model specification Based on the above and in line with econometric model used by Lin and Yen and Yen et al [14, 16], a simultaneous equation system was developed in which consumption variables for local rice was set to zero with endogenous continuous variable for dietary knowledge (d0) included among the explanatory variables for the consumption equation
The result of the study revealed that dietary knowledge and some sociodemographic variables have positive impact on households’ consumption of local rice, in southwest Nigeria
Summary
The importance of good nutrition for healthy living cannot be overemphasized. This is necessary, given that in recent times, the high rate of health risks associated with poor diets and eating habits is on the increase [1]. Dietary knowledge is important in understanding food safety and hazards, and in reducing the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases [2]. Food-borne diseases (such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, and cancer) afflict more than 30% of the world’s population annually, due to inadequate dietary knowledge [4, 5]. Dietary knowledge is sacrosanct and germane to healthy living; it is one of the crucial factors in the promotion of healthy eating
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