Article Sidebar
Published:
Dec 9, 2016Keywords:
Article Details
Material submitted for publication in the South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition (SAJCN) is accepted provided it has not been published elsewhere. Copyright forms will be sent with acknowledgement of receipt and the SAJCN reserves copyright of the material published.
The SAJCN does not hold itself responsible for statements made by the authors.
Main Article Content
Nutrition-related cancer prevention knowledge of undergraduate students at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract
Objective: This study assessed the nutrition-related cancer prevention knowledge and dietary pattern of undergraduate students.
Design: A cross-sectional study design was employed.
Setting: The University of Ibadan campus, Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.
Participants: A systematic random sampling of 367 undergraduate students was done. Method: A pretested self-administered questionnaire assessed the nutrition-related cancer prevention knowledge of the participants based on WCRF/AICR guidelines. A food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate the dietary pattern. Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, body mass index and waist:hip ratio were measured and computed based on standard procedures.
Results: Less than half (49%) had good nutrition-related knowledge of cancer prevention. About 30.0–40.0% frequently consumed legumes/nuts, vegetables and fruits respectively. About 75.0% frequently consumed processed cereals and grains (white rice, white bread and noodles). Above 20.0% were overweight, while 3.8% were obese. Less than 75.0% had low risk of abdominal obesity while 25.5% had high risk of abdominal obesity. Nutrition knowledge of cancer prevention was associated with the frequency of consumption of processed cereals and grains (χ2 = 13.724; p= 0.000), legumes/nuts (χ2 = 17.268; p = 0.000), meat (χ2= 22.972; p = 0.000), fish χ2 = 23.017; p = 0.000), pastry snacks (χ2 = 36.159; p = 0.000) and sugary drinks (χ2= 6.432; p = 0.011). There was no significant difference in knowledge of cancer prevention and the frequency of consumption of roots and tubers, milk, vegetables, and fruits. A higher risk of abdominal obesity was associated with infrequent consumption of legumes/ nuts (χ2= 7.001, p = 0.008) in the males, and with vegetables (χ2= 6.771, p = 0.009) and fruits (χ2= 4.205, p = 0.040) intakes in the females.
Conclusion: Nutrition-related knowledge of cancer prevention was low, and the respondents also had a poor dietary pattern. The high risk of abdominal obesity may be a pointer to the larger young adult population, emphasising a need for targeted intervention.
Keywords: adolescents and young adult health, cancer prevention, nutrition knowledge
