Fruit and vegetables consumption patterns and risk of chronic disease of lifestyle among university students in Kenya

The nutrition transition in developing countries has contributed to the significant early onset of Chronic Diseases of Lifestyle (CDLs) in the adult population at a younger age⁽¹⁾. CDLs including type 2 diabetes, accounts for 27% of deaths suffered by Kenyans, and the likelihood of dying too young from a CDL in Kenya is 18%^(2,3) .The aim of this study was to assess the fruit and vegetable consumption patterns and risk of CDLs among university students aged 19–30 years.

A cross-sectional analytical design was used to randomly recruit 423 self-catering subjects (168 males; 255 females) aged 19–30 years attending Kenyatta University in Kenya. The sample was representative of all faculties in the University, and all regions in Kenya. Fruit and vegetable consumption patterns were measured using a fruit and vegetable intake questionnaire and a food frequency questionnaire. Physical and biochemical measures were used to assess the risk factors of chronic diseases of lifestyle among the participants. Data were analysed by IBM SPSS Version 26.0.

The proportion (95% CI) of respondents who met the WHO recommendation of 5 or more servings of fruits and/or vegetables per day in a typical week was 21.5%. The mean intake of fruits was1.7 servings per day and for vegetables, 1.9 servings per day. The prevalence of risk factors of CDLs: 28.1% of the respondents are current consumers of alcohol; 4.0% current tobacco users; 18.2% were overweight (BMI); 16.5% had abdominal obesity (WC); 9.5% had high WHR; 8.3% had raised blood pressure, and 39.5% had raised cholesterol. A significant association between meeting the WHO recommendation of 5 or more servings of fruits and/or vegetables in a day and combined risk factors of CDLs (p = 0.0001).

Over 78% of the study population consumed lower amounts of fruits and vegetables than recommended by the WHO. Eighty-five percent had at least one combined risk factors of CDLs. There is a need to develop and strengthen nutrition campaigns aimed at increasing fruit and vegetable intake levels among young adults, and the prevention of chronic diseases of lifestyle.