The food environment of students on a financial assistance programme at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein

Abstract

The research study was undertaken to determine the food that students on the financial assistance program at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, could buy on campus. Students on this program can buy food from six food outlets on campus from their daily allowance. The types of foods sold were mostly sugar-containing products. The availability of healthy food choices should be promoted in an environment where food assistance programs are offered to students.

Objectives: Enrolment at institutions of higher learning is associated not only with poor eating habits, but also food insecurity. This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to determine the food environment for students on the financial assistance
programme at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. Study population and sample: Six food outlets providing food for students on the food assistance programme.

Methods: All food items sold at the specified outlets were recorded using a store audit form.

Results: The food outlets allocated to the recipients were two take-away food outlets, three cafeterias and one tuck shop. Of the food items sold at these outlets, only 1% was classified as dairy. Sugar-containing products represented 29.2% of the food items sold, followed by starches (19.3%) and protein-containing foods (18.6%).

Conclusion: The quality and diversity of foods available on campuses should be considered when implementing food assistance programs.

Keywords: financial assistance, food environment, university students