Perception of Food Environment on Dietary Behaviour Using Photovoice Among University Students (abia State University Extension)

The food environment plays a critical role in shaping university students dietary behaviors, influencing their food choices, nutritional status, and overall well-being. This cross-sectional study explores students perceptions of their food environment and its impact on dietary behaviors using photovoice, a participatory research methodology. Conducted among students at Abia State University Extension, the study examines key dimensions of the food environment, including availability, accessibility, affordability, convenience, advertisement, and food quality and safety. Through thematic analysis of qualitative data—comprising photographs and narratives from 20 participants—the study identifies major barriers to healthy eating. Limited availability and affordability of nutritious food options, coupled with academic pressures and time constraints, significantly impact students food choices. Distance to markets, transportation barriers, and reliance on nearby roadside vendors further limit accessibility. Advertisements, particularly for fast food and sugary beverages, strongly shape students’ perceptions of affordability and desirability. Concerns about food quality and safety, including poor hygiene practices among vendors and mistrust in food freshness, also influence dietary decisions. Emotional and stress-related eating, meal skipping, and late-night eating are prevalent patterns, reflecting the interaction between food insecurity and academic demands. By using photovoice, this study provides visual and narrative evidence of the socio-economic and structural challenges influencing students’ food choices. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve the campus food environment, including policies to enhance the availability, affordability, and safety of nutritious foods. This research contributes to the broader discourse on food environments and public health, emphasizing the value of participatory research in informing policy and advocacy for healthier student lifestyles.