The Gut Microbiome Is Associated with Circulating Dietary Biomarkers of Fruit and Vegetable Intake in a Multiethnic Cohort

Abstract Background In 2015, the Partnership for a Healthier America launched the branded Fruits & Veggies (FNV) Campaign to apply a unique industry-inspired marketing approach to promote fruit and vegetable sales and intake to moms and teens in two US pilot markets: Fresno, California and Hampton Roads, Virginia. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to: 1) assess brand awareness and fruit- and vegetable-related outcomes among FNV Campaign target audiences in the California and Virginia market locations; and 2) examine whether reported awareness of the FNV Campaign was associated with differences in fruit- and vegetable-related cognitive and behavioral outcomes. Methods Data for this cross-sectional study were collected using an online survey administered to a non-probability convenience sample (n = 1604; February–July 2017) of youth aged 14–20 years (n = 744) and moms aged 21–36 years (n = 860) in the two pilot markets. Descriptive statistics were computed and outcomes compared between unaware and aware respondents, controlling for sociodemographic covariates. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was conducted to assess whether fruit- and vegetable-related attitude, belief, and encouragement outcomes differed by FNV Campaign awareness; logistic regression was used to examine associations between FNV brand awareness and dichotomous variables (fruit- and vegetable-related behavioral intentions, trying new fruits and vegetables); and ANCOVA was used to assess associations with daily fruit and vegetable intake frequency. Results Approximately 20% (n = 315/1604) of respondents reported awareness of the FNV Campaign. Youth that reported awareness of the FNV Campaign (n = 167, 22.4%) had higher intentions to buy (p = 0.003) and eat (p = 0.009) fruits and vegetables than unaware respondents. Mothers that reported awareness of the FNV Campaign (n = 148, 17.2%) reported greater encouragement for friends and family to eat fruits and vegetables (p = 0.013) and were approximately 1.5 times more likely to report trying a new fruit or vegetable (p = 0.04) than mothers unaware of the Campaign. Daily fruit and vegetable intake frequency did not differ by Campaign awareness. Conclusions FNV Campaign awareness was associated with limited but positive short- and intermediate-term cognitive and behavioral outcomes among target audience respondents. These findings can inform future research to enhance understanding and improve the FNV Campaign as it is expanded to new markets nationwide.

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Biochemical Validation of a Self-Administered Food Frequency Questionnaire to Assess Diet Using Carotenoids and Vitamins E and D in Male Adolescents in Spain

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10050750 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 750

Author(s):

Leyre Notario-Barandiaran ◽

Eva-María Navarrete-Muñoz ◽

Desirée Valera-Gran ◽

Elena Hernández-Álvarez ◽

Encarnación Donoso-Navarro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin E ◽

Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Sample Mean ◽

Food Frequency ◽

Male Adolescents ◽

Β Carotene

Reliable tools to evaluate diet are needed, particularly in life periods such as adolescence in which a rapid rate of growth and development occurs. We assessed the biochemical validity of a self-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in a sample of Spanish male adolescents using carotenoids and vitamin E and D data. We analyzed data from 122 male adolescents aged 15–17 years of the INMA-Granada birth cohort study. Adolescents answered a 104-item FFQ and provided a non-fasting blood sample. Mean daily nutrient intakes and serum concentration were estimated for main carotenoids (lutein-zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, α-carotene and β-carotene), vitamins E and D and also for fruit and vegetable intake. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) and the percentage of agreement (same or adjacent quintiles) between serum vitamin concentrations and energy-adjusted intakes were estimated. Statistically significant correlation coefficients were observed for the total carotenoids (r = 0.40) and specific carotenoids, with the highest correlation observed for lutein–zeaxanthin (r = 0.42) and the lowest for β-carotene (0.23). The correlation coefficient between fruit and vegetable intake and serum carotenoids was 0.29 (higher for vegetable intake, r = 0.33 than for fruit intake, r = 0.19). Low correlations were observed for vitamin E and D. The average percentage of agreement for carotenoids was 55.8%, and lower for vitamin E and D (50% and 41%, respectively). The FFQ may be an acceptable tool for dietary assessment among male adolescents in Spain.

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Relationship between Fruit and Vegetable Intake, Hypertension, and Body Mass Index: An Assessment of BRFSS Data

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics ◽

10.1016/j.jand.2015.06.327 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 115 (9) ◽

pp. A90 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

K.M. Sartin ◽

C.A. Friesen ◽

J. Khubchandani

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Mass ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽

Fruit And Vegetable

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Effect of increasing fruit and vegetable intake on nitric oxide status: a randomised controlled trial

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665114001220 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 73 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

L. L. Hamill ◽

C. Mc Master ◽

C. E. Neville ◽

A. J. McGrath ◽

C. R. Draffin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitric Oxide ◽

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Randomised Controlled

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Self-Report of Fruit and Vegetable Intake that Meets the 5 A Day Recommendation Is Associated with Reduced Levels of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Increased Levels of Antioxidant Defense in Premenopausal Women

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics ◽

10.1016/j.jand.2013.01.019 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 113 (6) ◽

pp. 776-785 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Stephanie M. Rink ◽

Pauline Mendola ◽

Sunni L. Mumford ◽

Jill K. Poudrier ◽

Richard W. Browne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Antioxidant Defense ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Premenopausal Women ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽

Self Report ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Oxidative Stress Biomarkers ◽

Stress Biomarkers

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Association of fruit and vegetable intake with dietary fat intake

Nutrition Research ◽

10.1016/s0271-5317(05)80186-1 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 1441-1454 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Ashima K. Kant ◽

Gladys Block ◽

Arthur Schatzkin ◽

Marion Nestle

Keyword(s):

Dietary Fat ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽

Fat Intake ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Dietary Fat Intake

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Home food environment and associations with weight and diet among U.S. adults: a cross-sectional study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11102-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Michelle C. Kegler ◽

April Hermstad ◽

Regine Haardörfer

Keyword(s):

Food Environment ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

National Sample ◽

Family Meals ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Home Food Environment ◽

Meal Preparation ◽

Home Food

Abstract Background The home provides the physical and social context for the majority of eating behaviors for U.S. adults. This study describes eleven dimensions of the home food environment among a national sample of U.S. adults and identifies which are associated with diet quality and overweight/obesity. Methods A national sample of U.S. adults ages 18 to 75 was recruited from an online survey panel. Respondents (n = 4942) reported on foods available in the home, including 1) fruit and vegetables, 2) salty snacks/sweets, 3) less healthy beverages, as well as 4) food placement, 5) shopping practices for fruits and vegetables, 6) food preparation, 7) portion control methods, 8) family meals from restaurants, 9) family household practices around TV and eating, 10) presence of a TV in the dining area, and 11) ownership of a scale. Self-reported height and weight, fruit and vegetable intake, and percent calories from fat were also assessed. Results Mean household size was 2.6, 32.7% had children in the home, and 23.1% lived alone. The majority were White (67.7%), with 12.3% Black and 14.3% Hispanic. Mean age was 44.4 and 48.3% were men. In multivariable models, seven features of the home food environment were associated with meeting the recommended fruit and vegetable intake guidelines, with food placement, meal preparation, frequency of shopping for fruit, and a greater variety of fruits and vegetables available in the home most strongly associated. Eight of 11 features were associated with percent energy from fat, including restaurant food for family meals, salty snacks and sweets availability, less healthy beverages availability, food placement, meal preparation, frequency of shopping for fruit, family eating with the TV on, and having a TV in the dining area. More diverse fruit and vegetable availability was associated with lower odds of overweight/obesity, and more frequent family eating while watching TV was associated with increased odds of overweight/obesity. Conclusion Targeting these dimensions of the home food environment may be a promising approach for future intervention research.

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