Food Habits Among International Students At The University Of Ghana

Abstract

This study investigated the food habits of international students at the University of Ghana, employing the theory of acculturation as a guiding framework. The aim of the study was to examine whether the food practices, patterns, and settings of international students changed after arriving in Ghana. A cross-sectional study design was employed, and data were collected from 122 international students using questionnaires. Both descriptive (frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation) and inferential analyses (independent t-test, ANOVA, paired t-test and factor analysis) were used to analyze the data. The findings of the study indicated that there is a noticeable shift in the food habits of international students following their arrival in Ghana. The study revealed that various aspects of food practices, including consumption patterns and dining environments, undergo changes. These changes can be attributed to the exposure to new cultural experiences, including different cuisines, culinary practices, and social dining norms within the Ghanaian context. In conclusion, it can be said that there has been changes in the food habits of international students. Changes were observed in international students‘ food settings, practices and patterns after coming to Ghana. In furtherance, these changes in eating practices and patterns can be attributed largely to environmental, individual and food-related factors. It is therefore recommended that food service providers, in and around Legon, should provide meals that can cater for the diverse student background especially international students.