Abstract
Way of promoting consumption of fruits and vegetables among Senior Secondary
School (SSS) students in Delta State, Nigeria were investigated in this study. Three
research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted
descriptive survey research design. The population for the study was 46,286 SS II
students in the Delta State. Questionnaire was the instrument for collection data.
Mean and t-test were used for the analysis of data. Findings include seven reasons
for consumption of fruits and vegetables among students. These include, they are
source of minerals and Vitamins ( 3.42), I heard about their nutritional benefits
and others. There are eight hindrances for consumption of fruits and
vegetables among students. These include; availability of desired fruits and
vegetables within my local ( ; high cost of fruits and vegetables in the market
( among others. Other findings are 10 ways of improving fruits and
vegetables consumption practices among students. These include; increasing the
rate fruits and vegetables consumption ( ; increased Nutrition Education to
students on the importance of fruits and vegetables choices ( 3.65) and others. t-t
results revealed no significant (p<0.05) differences between mean ratings of the
responses of urban and rural students on their major reasons for consumption of
fruits and vegetables and hindrances for fruits and vegetables consumption. There
was significant (p<0.05) difference between the mean responses on the ways of
improving fruits and vegetables consumption based on gender. Based on the
findings, the study recommended increased Nutrition Education to secondary
school students for better knowledge of the importance of fruits and vegetables
consumption.