Access to Information Technologies and Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables in South Africa: Evidence from Nationally Representative Data

Sikhulumile Sinyolo, Catherine Ndinda, Conrad Murendo, Sithembile A. Sinyolo and Mudzunga Neluheni
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Sikhulumile Sinyolo: Human Sciences Research Council, 134 Pretorius Street, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Catherine Ndinda: Human Sciences Research Council, 134 Pretorius Street, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Conrad Murendo: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Box 776, Bulawayo 263, Zimbabwe
Sithembile A. Sinyolo: Agriculture Sector Education and Training Authority, 529 Belvedere Street, Arcadia, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
Mudzunga Neluheni: Human Sciences Research Council, 134 Pretorius Street, Pretoria 0001, South Africa

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-17

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: fruits and vegetables; information access; healthy diets; South Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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