CHOICE AND FACTORS AFFECTING THE CONSUMPTION OF BEVERAGE DRINKS AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN IMO STATE POLYTECHNIC OMUMA

ABSTRACT The study assessed the choices and factors affecting the consumption of beverages among undergraduates of Imo State Polytechnic Omuma. Undergraduates are at an increased risk for adopting unhealthful eating patterns because they are often living on their own and do not always make the best decisions regarding diet and health. The objectives of the study include to identify the choice of beverages consumed by undergraduates, assess the factors that influence the consumption of beverages among undergraduates, assess the nutritional knowledge of beverages by undergraduates and the attitudes of undergraduates towards beverages consumption. The study was implemented using descriptive survey methodology. The population of the study included all the students of Imo State Polytechnic schooling in Omuma, which stands at Three Thousand, Three Hundred and Eighty (3380). The sample of 358 was drawn using Taro Yemen’s formula while a population sample of 198 was used for data analysis. The result of the study shows that undergraduates consume beverages whenever they are available owing to low level of allowances and enlightenment by their parents and concerned authorities. Also, the study revealed that the frequency and timing of the consumption of beverages are abysmal due to poor nutrition knowledge. Furthermore, the study indicated that students choices and preferences of beverages were influenced by taste, trust, experience, and ingredients, and often read nutrition labels on the beverages in order to ascertain their expiry date, energy value and ingredients they are made of. The study recommended that nutrition education awareness should be made compulsory at all levels of academic endeavour while school management should create a unit in the school’s health center where students can visit to source information on their nutritional status..