Determinants of Fruit and Vegetables Intake among Secondary School Pupils in the City of Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso): A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

According to WHO, eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day at an early age is protective against cancers, cardiovascular diseases and di-abetes. The purpose of this study was to determine among secondary school pupils in the city of Bobo-Dioulasso, the level of observation of this recom-mendation and the associated factors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from March to April 2016, among secondary school pupils in 1 st Form, 4 th Form and 7 th Form of public and private secondary schools. The diet survey methods were the recalling of the last 24 hours associated with in-take frequency questionnaire. An intake of less than one fruit (or a slice of a big fruit) per day and for vegetables, less than one portion of raw or cooked vegetables per day was considered insufficient. Results: A total of 1993 pupils were surveyed. The mean age was 17.5 ± 3.6 years and the sex ratio 0.7; 75.4% and 90.0% of pupils had insufficient daily intake of fruit and vegetables re-spectively. The determinants of this consumption deficiency were: Sex (male, OR = 1.7 (1.3 -2.2)), secondary school (public, OR = 1.6 (1.3 -2.0)), class (4 th Form, OR = 2.5 (1.5 -4.2)/7 th Form, OR = 3.7 (2.7 -5.1)), the mother (thin build, OR = 3.2 (2.0 -5.3)/overweight/obesity, OR = 2.8 (1.6 -4.7)) and phys-ical inactivity (OR = 1.5 (1.2 -2.0)). Conclusion: The promotion of a healthy diet among secondary school pupils should take into account the type of school, sex, educational level, physical activity and mothers' influence.