Role of social institutions in shaping vegetable consumption across Africa: a review

Abstract

Increasing vegetable consumption is being promoted as a critical step towards more nutritious and sustainable diets. Despite the recognition that context shapes food consumption practices, there have been limited systematic analyses of the role of social institutions in enabling or hindering consumption of vegetables. In particular, we focus on cultural, cognitive, socioeconomic, and contextual influences that shape local understandings, attitudes, and practices surrounding health and wellbeing. We seek to address this knowledge gap by exploring whether and how academic research has engaged this issue, with a particular focus on Africa. The analysis finds that a range of social institutions play a role in shaping vegetable consumption. Most publications focus on cultural norms and personal perceptions and beliefs, the latter also reflecting one's cultural conditioning and social positioning. Contextual factors such as education and economic status have been reported as having either positive or negative effects on vegetable consumption, depending on context. In terms of types of vegetables affected, traditional vegetables are featured more frequently rather than exotic (externally introduced) ones. The results of this analysis may contribute to informing agricultural and food security policies and programs aimed at promoting vegetable consumption in Africa.