Evaluate the Awareness of Fish Consumption among Female Students of Umm Al-Qura University in Mecca

Background: Fish is important animal sources for healthy diet. It's rich in amino and unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and metals. fish consumption is linked to decreased heart diseases, inflammatory disease as arthritis and prevention of cancer.

The Aim of Study: The study was to assess the Socio-demographic factors, personal attitudes, knowledge, preferences and awareness regarding fish.

Subjects and Methods: This study was conducted on 372 of UQU (Umm Al-Qura university) female students, questionnaire was used for data collection to study Socioeconomic status, fish consumption, preferences, knowledge, awareness and Statistical Analysis.

Results: This study is about the importance of fish consumption, (281) of participants were consumers. The highest consumption was (21-23) years (47.3%), scientific colleges (57.6%), single with family (84.6%) and (60.8%) their month income >6000 SR. results indicated that (55.8%) consumed fish because of nutritional value and, (31.3%) taste. Data showed (24,5%) don't consume, (37.3%) dislike fish consumption due taste and odor, most Participants (99.2%) were aware about nutritional value of fish this proves nutritional awareness, (96,2) knew that Omega-3 fatty acid in fish is useful in maintaining cardiovascular function, (92,2%) knew fishes content of micronutrients (75%) have an awareness regarding fish content of cholesterol.

Conclusion: present study revealed awareness about fishes consumption importance was the highest for older age, scientific colleges, high income, results indicated the highest ratio of participants had consumed fishes because of nutritional value, some because of taste. The majority of respondents were aware of about Omega-3 fatty acid in fish is useful in maintaining cardiovascular function, fish content of micronutrients and cholesterol.