title: Factors influencing consumption of nutrient rich forest foods in rural Cameroon.
abstract: Studies show that a number of forest foods consumed in Cameroon are highly nutritious and rich in health boosting bioactive compounds. This study assessed the knowledge and perceptions towards the nutritional and health promoting properties of forest foods among forest dependent communities. The relationship between knowledge, perceptions and socio-demographic attributes on consumption of forest foods was also determined. A total of 279 females in charge of decision making with respect to food preparation were randomly selected from 12 villages in southern and eastern Cameroon and interviewed using researcher administered questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors affecting consumption of forest foods. Baillonella toxisperma (98%) and Irvingia gabonesis (81%) were the most known nutrient rich forest foods by the respondents. About 31% of the respondents were aware of the nutritional value and health benefits of forest foods. About 10%-61% of the respondents expressed positive attitudes to questions related with health benefits of specific forest foods. Consumption of forest foods was found to be higher among polygamous families and also positively related to length of stay in the forest area and age of respondent with consumption of forest foods. Education had an inverse relationship with use of forest foods. Knowledge and positive attitude towards the nutritional value of forest foods were also found to positively influence consumption of forest foods. Since knowledge was found to influence attitude and consumption, there is need to invest in awareness campaigns to strengthen the current knowledge levels among the study population. This should positively influence the attitudes and perceptions towards increased consumption of forest foods.
authors.affiliation: School of Food Technology, Nutrition & Bio-Engineering, Makerere University, P. O. Box, 7062, Kampala, Uganda; Bioversity International Forest Genetic Resources Programme, Via dei Tre Denari, 472/a, 00057 Maccarese, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: rfungom@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fungo
authors.affiliation: School of Food Technology, Nutrition & Bio-Engineering, Makerere University, P. O. Box, 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Muyonga
authors.affiliation: School of Food Technology, Nutrition & Bio-Engineering, Makerere University, P. O. Box, 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kabahenda
authors.affiliation: World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), P.O. Box 26416, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Clement A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Okia
authors.affiliation: Bioversity International Forest Genetic Resources Programme, Via dei Tre Denari, 472/a, 00057 Maccarese, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Snook
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002163:Cameroon; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D065928:Forests; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009753:Nutritive Value; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cultural beliefs and ethnic foods; Food habits; Forest foods