http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/11538 2020-08-19T11:49:31Z info:eu-repo/semantics/descriptiveMetadata http://oar.icrisat.org/11538/ Access to Information Technologies and Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables in South Africa: Evidence from Nationally Representative Data Sinyolo, S Ndinda, C Murendo, C Sinyolo, S A Neluheni, M Information Technology Vegetable and Field crops Food and Nutrition Southern Africa 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. MDPI 2020-07 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://oar.icrisat.org/11538/1/ijerph-17-04880.pdf 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 https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17134880 doi:10.3390/ijerph17134880 info:eu-repo/semantics/objectFile info:eu-repo/semantics/humanStartPage