The Nature and Pattern of Fast-food Consumption among Lecturers at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Fast-food consumption has increased substantially in low- and middle-income countries due to rapid urbanisation, changing dietary lifestyles, and occupational demands. University lecturers constitute a professional group particularly vulnerable to unhealthy dietary patterns because of prolonged work schedules, academic pressure, and limited time for meal preparation. This study examined the nature and pattern of fast-food consumption among lecturers at the University of Portharcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. The study population comprised 1,530 lecturers employed at the University of Portharcourt. A sample size of 600 lecturers was selected using a non-proportionate sampling technique, while accidental sampling was used to recruit respondents. Data were collected using a structured and validated self-administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, frequency and types of fast-food consumption, factors influencing consumption, and perceived health implications. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages were used to summarise the data, while Chi-square tests were used to examine associations between variables at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The findings revealed a high prevalence of fast-food consumption among lecturers, with 72.6% consuming fast food more than once weekly and 33.3% consuming fast food daily. Pizza (91.7%), suya (85.8%), soft drinks (71.3%), and instant noodles (68.3%) were the most commonly consumed items. Major determinants of fast-food consumption included food variety (98.7%), accessibility (97.5%), quick service delivery (95.8%), and convenient opening hours (95.0%). Male lecturers consumed fast food more frequently than female lecturers, while significant differences were also observed according to marital status and residential location. Although most respondents demonstrated awareness of the health risks associated with excessive fast-food consumption, many continued the practice because of occupational demands and convenience. Conclusion: Fast-food consumption is highly prevalent among lecturers at the University of Port Harcourt and is driven largely by occupational and environmental factors. The findings underscore the need for workplace nutrition interventions, improved access to healthy meal alternatives on campus, and institutional wellness programmes aimed at reducing diet-related health risks among academic staff.