Nutrition knowledge and food choice among black students in South Africa.

Abstract

To investigate the relationship between nutrition knowledge and dietary behaviour, and to assess the perceived influences on food selection among Black students in South Africa. Cross sectional study. University of the North and two semi-urban Secondary Schools. 213 second year social science university students, 104 (48.2%) male and 112 (51.9%) female, and 199 Grade 11 secondary school students, 67 male (32.7%) and 132 female (66.3%). A General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire and a Food Choice Questionnaire. Generally, students seemed to have below average nutrition knowledge levels. University students had significantly more nutrition knowledge than secondary school students. Dietary recommendations were associated with source of nutrients and diet-disease relationships, and sources of nutrients were associated with diet-disease relationships. Choosing everyday foods was not associated with dietary recommendations, source of nutrients, and diet-disease relationships. Among both university and secondary school students the three highest food choice factors included health, sensory appeal and mood. Below average nutrition knowledge levels were found. Choosing everyday food seemed to be not associated with nutrition knowledge, and food choice was not only influenced by health but also sensory appeal and mood.