ASSESSMENT OF AFRICAN WALNUT CONSUMPTION ON HEALTH STATUS OF HOUSEHOLD HEADS IN AYEDAADE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OSUN STATE

Adeoye A; Amao, S. A; Adeagbo, T.A; Kehinde E.O; Farayola C.O

Adeoye A Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology,Igboora
Amao, S. A Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology,Igboora
Adeagbo, T.A Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology,Igboora
Kehinde E.O Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology,Igboora
Farayola C.O

Keywords: Awareness, walnut, health benefits, BMI, Tobit regression model

Abstract

The preservation and utilization of indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants play a crucial .role in promoting health and nutritional well-being, particularly in rural communities. This study assessed the effect of african walnut consumption on health status of household heads in ayedaade local government area, osun state, Nigeria. The study described the socio-economic characteristics of respondents, determined their awareness of the health benefits of African walnut, identified perceived health benefits, examined the effect of walnut consumption on health status, and documented constraints to its utilization. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 120 rural household farmers. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Tobit regression. Results revealed that the majority of respondents were middle-aged, married males with low educational attainment and modest monthly income. Awareness of African walnut’s health benefits was high (91.67%): with herbal practitioners (35%) being the primary source of information. Key perceived benefits included improved brain function (25%) and enhanced fertility (30%). Body Mass Index (BMI) analysis indicated that 51.67% of respondents had normal weight, while 41.67% were overweight. Regression results showed that gender, age, marital status, education, and extension contact significantly influenced BMI, while walnut consumption had a negative and significant relationship with BMI. Major constraints to utilization included Western influence (90%): lack of documentation (80%): and youth disinterest (65.83%). The study concluded that African walnut is widely recognized for its health benefits, but consumption frequency remains suboptimal. It recommends intensified nutrition education, value-chain development, and integration of indigenous knowledge into public health and agricultural extension programs to enhance the consumption and benefits of African walnut in rural communities.

Author Biographies

Adeoye A, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology,Igboora

Department of Agricultural Technology,

Amao, S. A, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology,Igboora

Department of Agricultural Technology,

Adeagbo, T.A, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology,Igboora

Department of Agricultural Technology,

Kehinde E.O, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology,Igboora

Department of Agricultural Technology,

Farayola C.O

Agricultural Research Management and Training Institute (ARMTI)

References

Akpuaka, M. M., and Nwankwor, E. (2000). The ethnobotanical uses of Tetracarpidium conophorum in Southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Economic Botany, 54(2): 145-148.
Ayedun, J. S., and Eyitayo, A. O. (2023). Indigenous knowledge and utilization of medicinal plants in West Africa: A case study of Tetracarpidium conophorum. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 18(4): 112-120.
Baily, C., Jacob, M., and Forsythe, L. (2019). The economic and nutritional potential of underutilized crops in Sub-Saharan Africa. Global Food Security, 21, 82-89.
FAO. (2018). The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2018. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Folare, T. O., and Risikat, A. N. (2023). Multifunctional uses of indigenous fruits in rural livelihoods: The case of African walnut. Agroforestry Systems, 97(2): 345-359.

Iyiola, O. A., Asimi, O. H., and Akanbi, C. T. (2023). Omega-3 fatty acids and cognitive function: A review of the role of African walnuts. Journal of Nutritional Science, 12(e45): 1-8.
Kapitl, M., Umar, I. A., and Dogoyaro, A. I. (2015). Nutritional and health values of Tetracarpidium conophorum (African walnut). International Journal of Biotechnology and Food Science, 3(2): 23-29.
Obata, O. O., Solanke, E. A., and Lawal, A. M. (2021). Some nutritional and medicinal importance of Nigerian walnut (Tetracarpidium conophorum). Journal of Herbal Medicine, 28, 100452.
Okupbi, J., Eze, S. C., and Nwadike, C. (2024). Economic botany of tropical trees: Food and medicinal uses. International Journal of Botany Studies, 9(1): 78-85.
Onwuli, D. O., Brown, H., and Ozoani, P. (2014). Anti-hyperglycaemic and diuretic effects of Tetracarpidium conophorum nuts in diabetic rats. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 18(3): 421-427.
Popp, J., Lakner, Z., and Harangi-Rákos, M. (2013). The effect of bioactivity of nuts on human health. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment, 11(2): 439-443.
Walkdikar, S. (2004). The role of ethnobotany in drug discovery. Phytochemistry Reviews, 3(1-2): 235-245.
Zamora-Sequeira, R., Ardao, I., and Starbird-Perez, R. (2019). Traditional foods and globalization: The challenges of preserving indigenous knowledge. Trends in Food Science and Technology, 91, 10-19.