relation: http://oar.icrisat.org/11538/
title: Access to Information Technologies and Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables in South Africa: Evidence from Nationally Representative Data
creator: Sinyolo, S
creator: Ndinda, C
creator: Murendo, C
creator: Sinyolo, S A
creator: Neluheni, M
subject: Information Technology
subject: Vegetable and Field crops
subject: Food and Nutrition
subject: Southern Africa
description: Extensive evidence indicates that fruit and vegetable (F+V) consumption leads to reduced  chances of diet related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, the F+V consumption  levels remain low. This paper investigates the extent to which access to information technologies  improves F+V consumption in South Africa. A nationally representative sample of 20,908 households  was analysed using the Poisson and logit regression models. The study results indicated that most  households do not consume sufficient F+V per day. Only 26% of the household heads consumed F+V  at least five times a day. Access to mobile phones, radio, television, and internet was associated with  increasing frequency of F+V consumption, and higher chances that a household would consume  the minimum recommended levels. The association between the communication technologies  and F+V consumption varied. Television access had the highest association with both foods,  while internet was only significantly associated with vegetable consumption. Several demographic  and socio-economic factors played a key role in shaping F+V consumption patterns. The results  show that there is scope to disseminate nutrition awareness and education programs, through mobile  phones, internet, radio and television in South Africa. The interventions to promote F+V consumption  should be tailored according to the different socio-economic profiles of the population.
publisher: MDPI
date: 2020-07
type: Article
type: PeerReviewed
format: application/pdf
language: en
identifier: http://oar.icrisat.org/11538/1/ijerph-17-04880.pdf
identifier:   Sinyolo, S and Ndinda, C and Murendo, C and Sinyolo, S A and Neluheni, M  (2020) Access to Information Technologies and Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables in South Africa: Evidence from Nationally Representative Data.  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (TSI), 17 (13).  pp. 1-17.  ISSN 1660-4601     
relation: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17134880
relation: doi:10.3390/ijerph17134880