Behavioural Determinants of Artificial Intelligence-Support Nutrition Information Use Among Adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Purpose This study examined the behavioural determinants of AI-supported nutrition information use among adolescents in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Specifically, it investigated the roles of AI nutritional literacy, trust, acceptance, and preference in shaping adolescents’ engagement with AI-supported nutrition information. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 adolescents recruited from secondary schools and tertiary institutions using a multistage sampling approach. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27.0 for descriptive and logistic regression analyses. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 4was performed to examine relationships among study variables. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results AI acceptance significantly increased the likelihood of AI-supported nutrition information use (AOR = 1.241; p < 0.001), while preference was inversely associated (AOR = 0.737; p = 0.010). In the structural model, AI nutritional literacy had a significant direct effect on information use (β = 0.821; p < 0.001), while its effect on AI acceptance was not significant. Trust significantly predicted both AI acceptance (β = 0.617; p < 0.001) and information use (β = 0.277; p < 0.001), and AI acceptance positively influenced information use (β = 0.449; p < 0.001). Conclusions AI nutritional literacy and AI acceptance were important determinants of adolescent’s use of AI-supported nutrition information. Interventions should strengthen AI literacy, build trust, and promote acceptance to support meaningful engagement with AI-supported nutrition information.