Determinants of Food Choice Among Undergraduate Students at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, South South Nigeria

The food choices made by young adults in university settings are shaped by a complex interplay of psychological, social, economic, and environmental factors. Understanding these determinants is critical for designing effective campus nutrition programmes. This study examined the determinants of food choice among undergraduate students at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, South South Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, with data collected from 320 students selected through stratified random sampling across six faculties. A validated Food Choice Questionnaire adapted for the Nigerian context was administered. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and Spearman correlation. Findings revealed that taste, cost, and convenience were the most dominant determinants of food choice among respondents. Nutritional value ranked relatively low as a food choice criterion, particularly among male students. Social media exposure was positively associated with the consumption of fast foods and sugar-sweetened beverages. Female students demonstrated greater nutrition consciousness compared to their male counterparts. Students from lower-income backgrounds were more likely to skip meals and rely on cheaper, energy-dense foods. The study recommends the introduction of affordable, nutritionally balanced meal options at campus cafeterias and the integration of food and nutrition literacy modules into general university curricula. Keywords: food choice, undergraduate students, University of Port Harcourt, nutrition, food determinants