Households’ Perception of Fruits and Vegetables Consumption in Olorunda Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed respondents’ perception of fruits and vegetables consumption in the study area. Relevant data were collected from one hundred and twenty (120) randomly sampled households. Data were analyzed as appropriate. Results showed that 68.3% of the respondents were females, 96.7% had varying degrees of formal education while means of household size and monthly income were 4±2 persons and ₦57,500±23,300, respectively. Respondents had strong perception for the facts that vegetables can be easily incorporated into meals than fruits, fruits have more nutritional benefits than vegetables and too much consumption of fruits and vegetables lead to running stomach and watery stool ranking 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd, respectively but weak perception for the facts that fruits can be easily incorporated into meals than vegetables, excessive consumption of fruits and vegetables can cause stomach ulcer and fruits and vegetables are often costlier than real food items ranked 8^th, 9^th and 10^th, respectively. Seasonality, availability and taste and preference were the major constraints to fruits and vegetables consumption in the study area. The study concluded that there were misperceptions on consumption of fruits and vegetables and recommended value re-orientation on nutritional and health benefits of fruits and vegetables consumption in the study area.