Food Safety Is a Key Determinant of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Urban Beninese Adolescents

Abstract 

Objective

To identify the determinants of fruit and vegetable consumption in urban Beninese adolescents and elements to develop a school-based fruit and vegetable program.

Design

Sixteen focus groups conducted with a key word guide.

Setting and Participants

Two private and 2 public secondary schools in Cotonou, Benin. One hundred fifty-three students aged 13 to 19 years, 54% girls.

Analysis

The focus groups were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed. Three a priori categories from the Social Cognitive Theory were used for the coding: socioenvironmental, personal, and behavioral factors. Additionally, the data were checked to determine whether new categories should be created.

Results

Major determinants in the school were availability and accessibility of fruits and vegetables, nutrition education, and the competition of unhealthful foods. Food safety emerged as a strong barrier to the adolescents’ fruit and vegetable consumption outside home and particularly at school.

Conclusions and Implications

Except for food safety, the determinants of fruit and vegetable intake in Beninese adolescents were similar to those in high-income countries. The food safety of fruits and vegetables outside home is a key issue to be studied in detail and integrated in any intervention in Benin and potentially other low- and middle-income countries.

Key Words: fruit, vegetables, adolescent, determinants, Benin