Eat Green: Households’ Consumption of Whole Plant Food and Incidence of Illnesses

Abstract

Dietary habits among other factors such as urbanization and westernization of lifestyle are responsible for the surge in the cost associated with non-communicable diseases globally and especially in developing countries. The study sheds light on the level of awareness of whole plant food, its consumption and its relationship with the number of reported illnesses among households. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data for the study. Two hundred and forty households were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, logistic regression technique and ordinary least squares regression were utilized in the data analysis. The study revealed a low level of awareness of whole-plant food among households. Male-headed households have a higher level of awareness of whole plant food than households with female head. However, male-headed households consumed a smaller share of whole plant food (62.86) when compared with female-headed households with average extent of whole plant food of 63.10. Consequently, female-headed households recorded a lower incidence of illnesses. From the result of the logistic regression model, location, years of formal education, monthly income of spouse, and marital status significantly influenced the level of awareness of whole-plant food.  The age of the household’s head, location and years of formal education have significant effect on how much whole-plant food is consumed. The incidence of illness reduces with increased extent of whole-plant consumption. Hence, there should be concerted and collective actions involving government and private sectors in creating more awareness of the health benefits of whole plant food consumption.