Microgreen awareness and adoption among urban women in Thiruvananthapuram district

Microgreens are emerging as nutrient-dense functional foods suitable for urban households; however, awareness and adoption remain limited in many developing regions. This study assessed awareness, attitudes, cultivation, and consumption practices of microgreens among urban women in Thiruvananthapuram district and evaluated the effectiveness of a structured nutrition education intervention. A pre-post intervention design was adopted among 100 urban women aged 18-60 years selected using convenient sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and practices related to microgreens. An online awareness programme was conducted, followed by post-intervention assessment. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and paired t-test. At baseline, awareness regarding microgreens was limited, with notable misconceptions and uncertainty. Post-intervention analysis revealed a statistically significant improvement in knowledge, attitudes, and intended practices related to microgreens (p< 0.05). Participants increasingly perceived microgreens as accessible, sustainable, and suitable for home cultivation, with greater willingness to incorporate them into daily diets. The findings demonstrate that targeted nutrition education significantly enhances awareness and acceptance of microgreens among urban women. Promoting microgreens through public health and urban nutrition programmes may contribute to improved dietary diversity, women’s empowerment, and household food security.