Assessment of fruit and vegetable intake among corporate workers in Kampala city center, Kampala district

Abstract

Introduction: There is a low level of consumption of fruits and vegetables globally resulting in micronutrient deficiencies such as Iron Deficiency Anemia and chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer and coronary heart disease. Objective: This study was conducted to assess the level of consumption, diversity and nutrition knowledge on fruits and vegetables among corporate workers in Kampala city center, Kampala District. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted and data was collected using a questionnaire administered by an interviewer. Fruit and vegetable diversity was assessed using food frequency questionnaire while level of consumption was determined using a multiple pass 24-hour recall. The questionnaire also had a section assessing nutrition knowledge on fruits and vegetables of the participants. Data was collected from a sample of 60 people and analyzed using SPSS to obtain frequencies, means and correlations. Results: Of the 60 participants, only 15% met WHO recommendations for fruits and vegetables (≥5 servings). The mean number of servings consumed in a day by the study population was 2.6±1.7 (p<0.001). Only 8% of the study population consumed all the classes of fruits and vegetables in a week. Although the score of nutrition knowledge on fruits and vegetables was 60%, participants generally lacked knowledge on the recommendations of fruits and vegetables. However, an increase in nutrition knowledge was observed after nutrition education. Conclusion: Diversity and consumption of fruits and vegetables was low among corporate workers in Kampala district. Nutrition knowledge was fair among the study participants. The nutrition knowledge of the study participants was improved after nutrition education.