Influence of Food Fallacies on Dietary Choices and Consumption Patterns Among Oje Market Women in Ibadan North East Local Government, Oyo State
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Date
2025-12
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Lead City University Ibadan
Abstract
Food fallacies are culturally transmitted beliefs about food lacking scientific basis and significantly influence dietary practices among market women in Nigeria. This study provided culturally relevant evidence to guide nutrition education and correct food-related misconceptions among women who are key influencers of household feeding practices, using a descriptive cross sectional design. Data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to 420 market women selected through systematic random sampling. Statistical analysis using SPSS (version 25) included descriptive and inferential tests such as Chi-square at a 5% significance level. Findings revealed that 67.1% of respondents had heard of food fallacies, though only 12.5% could correctly define them as non-scientific beliefs. The most commonly known fallacies were that pregnant women should avoid snails (73.1%) and that pap with milk causes weight gain (74.0%). However, belief levels were lower (17.5–43.0%), suggesting partial resistance to misinformation. Parents, grandparents, and elders were the main sources of fallacy transmission (74.0%, 61.3%, and 55.0% respectively). Education level showed a significant inverse relationship with belief strength (p < 0.001), indicating that literacy promotes critical thinking against food myths. Education and religion were significantly associated with both knowledge (χ²=80.934, p<0.001; χ²=12.250, p=0.016) and belief in food fallacies (χ²=60.659, p<0.001; χ²=17.141, p=0.009). Weak positive correlations existed between knowledge and household food choices (rs=0.15, p<0.01), while significant negative correlations were found between believing fallacies and personal food choices (rs=-0.43, p<0.001). The study concludes that food fallacies remain deeply embedded in traditional knowledge systems despite exposure to formal education, necessitating culturally sensitive nutrition interventions that integrate traditional authority figures and address the social transmission mechanisms perpetuating these beliefs.
Keywords: Food fallacies, dietary choices, market women, nutrition beliefs, cultural practices.
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Keywords
Food fallacies, dietary choices, market women, nutrition beliefs, cultural practices.
Citation
Kate Turabian