Abstract:

The purpose of the study was to analyse factors that affect food choices of accommodated female students at the university of Zambia. The sample for the study was 249 female students selected using the proportional stratified simple random sampling technique. A questionnaire was used in collecting data. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, t- test and factor analysis. The factor analysis showed that food choices could be grouped into six groups accounting for 58.765% of the variance. The average mean of 2.0180 indicated that respondents have limited Nutrition Knowledge. It was also noted that; there was no difference in Nutrition Knowledge between the young ones and the older ones. The non-vegetarians ate more food groups than the vegetarians. The vegetarians spent more time on exercise and drank more water per day. Respondents also differed in their food choices and cooking methods according to their socio-economic status. The main recommendation that emerged from the study was that Food Science and Nutrition should be added to one of the first-year core courses at the University of Zambia. In addition, outsourcing experts such as dieticians and nutritionists to address students on importance of safe clean water and good food hygiene practices would be invaluable in ensuring healthy lifestyles and enhanced academic productivity.

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