Promotion of Healthy Food Consumption among Rural Families in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines strategies for the promotion of healthy food consumption among rural families in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area Rivers State. Four objectives and research questions guided the study. The quantitative survey design was employed for the study. The population for the study consisted of all the 1,278 teachers in the 24 public secondary schools in the area Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, while the purposive sampling technique was used to select 295 respondents. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that the ways families should utilize their income on food are prioritization of family food in the budget; spending more on nutritious foods than junks; bulk purchases; giving attention to younger children’s nutrition; while nutrition awareness improves food safety measures; improve families’ understanding of the importance of a balanced diet; help parents improve their children’s nutrition. Parental roles for healthy food consumption are ensuring the family eats together; discouraging eating out; having regular family meals; serve a variety of healthy foods; encourage healthy snacking; while nutrition hygiene promotes healthy food consumption through; safe drinking water to reduce undernutrition in children; prevention of diarrhoeal; and prevention of parasitic diseases. The study recommended that the local populations should be assisted with relevant nutrition education and awareness in order to improve their food consumption.