Abstract
Introduction: The intricate connections between nutritional knowledge, food choices, and food security among students are pivotal in research. In an era where dietary habits significantly impact well-being, an understanding of these factors becomes crucial. This study focused on students at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and investigated how demographic variables, nutritional awareness, and food environments influence students' dietary practices. Emphasising the need for improved nutritional knowledge, the research proposes targeted strategies for fostering healthier habits. Additionally, it uncovers challenges related to food security among UJ students, offering a holistic understanding of the complex factors shaping their nutritional landscape. Moreover, this study provides valuable insights for informed interventions and policy recommendations.
Aim: The overall aim of the study was to identify how nutritional knowledge and food environments influence the status of food security among UJ students. The study measured the students’ nutritional knowledge based on food groups, food choices, food types and the number of daily meals consumed by students. The food environments were examined based on the types of food outlets available in and around campuses, while food security was measured by Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, Dietary Diversity Scale and Months of Inadequate Food Provisioning, which was related to the types of accommodation in which students reside.
Methodology: The study used a quantitative research approach, and online self-administered questionnaires were administered with a sample size of 600 UJ students. It was conducted at UJ, based in the Gauteng province. Data collected was examined and coded by assigning a number to participants’ responses and entered onto an excel spreadsheet. The reviewed data was entered into a database called Statistical Package for Social Science (IBM SPSS Statistics Version 26.0). The data was then presented in basic statistics through frequencies and descriptives.
Results: An investigation of intricate relationships among students' nutritional knowledge, food choices, food security, and the campus food environment at UJ was conducted. An investigation of these relationships among students' nutritional knowledge, food choices, food security, and the campus food environment at UJ revealed good levels of nutritional knowledge, with gender and living arrangements influencing knowledge variations. There was no significant correlation found between
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nutritional knowledge and food insecurity, emphasising the complex nature of factors contributing to students' vulnerability. The assessment of the food environments uncovers a lack of awareness and limited access to nutritious options.
Conclusion: Complexities of students' nutritional well-being at UJ were identified. The complexities identified recognised the encouraging nutritional knowledge foundation but also highlights the challenges of food insecurity. The recommendations include longitudinal research studies, targeted interventions, and collaborative efforts to improve access to nutritious options. These recommendations aim to empower students and contribute to their healthier future.
Keywords: nutritional knowledge, food environments, and food security