Does the importance of dietary costs for fruit and vegetable intake vary by socioeconomic position?

AbstractEvidence suggests that diets meeting recommendations for fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake are more costly. Dietary costs may be a greater constraint on the diet quality of people of lower socioeconomic position (SEP). The aim of this study was to examine whether dietary costs are more strongly associated with F&V intake in lower-SEP groups than in higher-SEP groups. Data on individual participants’ education and income were available from a population-based, cross-sectional study of 10 020 British adults. F&V intake and dietary costs (GBP/d) were derived from a semi-quantitative FFQ. Dietary cost estimates were based on UK food prices. General linear models were used to assess associations between SEP, quartiles of dietary costs and F&V intake. Effect modification of SEP gradients by dietary costs was examined with interaction terms. Analysis demonstrated that individuals with lowest quartile dietary costs, low income and low education consumed less F&V than individuals with higher dietary costs, high income and high education. Significant interaction between SEP and dietary costs indicated that the association between dietary costs and F&V intake was stronger for less-educated and lower-income groups. That is, socioeconomic differences in F&V intake were magnified among individuals who consumed lowest-cost diets. Such amplification of socioeconomic inequalities in diet among those consuming low-cost diets indicates the need to address food costs in strategies to promote healthy diets. In addition, the absence of socioeconomic inequalities for individuals with high dietary costs suggests that high dietary costs can compensate for lack of other material, or psychosocial resources.

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Weight resilience and fruit and vegetable intake among African-American women in an obesogenic environment

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980017002488 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 391-402 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Sara M Parisi ◽

Lisa M Bodnar ◽

Tamara Dubowitz

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

African American Women ◽

Low Income ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Related Factor ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Reported Data

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate relationships between weight resilience (maintaining a normal weight in a food desert environment) and fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake, attitudes and barriers.DesignCross-sectional, in-person surveys collected May–December 2011, including self-reported data on F&V-related psychosocial factors, attitudes and barriers. Two 24 h dietary recalls were completed; weight and height were measured. Multivariable regression models estimated prevalence ratios (95 % CI).SettingTwo low-income, predominantly African-American food deserts in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.SubjectsWomen aged 18–49 years (n 279) who were the primary food shopper in a household randomly selected for a parent study.ResultsFifteen per cent were weight resilient, 30 % were overweight and 55 % were obese. Overall, 25 % reported eating ≥5 F&V servings/d. After adjustment for age, education, parity, employment, living alone, physical activity, per capita income and mean daily energy intake, women eating ≥5 F&V servings/d were 94 % more likely to be weight resilient compared with those eating <5 servings/d (1·94; 1·10, 3·43). Across BMI groups, self-efficacy regarding F&V consumption was high and few F&V barriers were reported. The most frequently reported barrier was concern about the cost of F&V (36 %). Of the attitudinal F&V-related factors, only concern about wasting food when serving F&V was associated with weight resilience in adjusted models (0·29; 0·09, 0·94). In a model predicting consuming ≥5 F&V servings/d, driving one’s own car to the store was the only attitudinal F&V-related factor associated with consumption (1·50; 1·00, 2·24).ConclusionsIn this population, weight resilience may be encouraged by improving access to affordable and convenient F&V options and providing education on ways to make them palatable to the entire household, rather than by shifting women’s F&V perceptions, which are already positive.

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Education and WHO Recommendations for Fruit and Vegetable Intake Are Associated with Better Cognitive Function in a Disadvantaged Brazilian Elderly Population: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0094042 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. e94042 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Maria Pastor-Valero ◽

Renata Furlan-Viebig ◽

Paulo Rossi Menezes ◽

Simon Almeida da Silva ◽

Homero Vallada ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Elderly Population ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Cross Sectional

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Examining fruit and vegetable intake in low-income older adults using the Veggie Meter®

Nutrition and Health ◽

10.1177/02601060211022275 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026010602110222

Author(s):

Amanda Kopetsky Fultz ◽

Samantha M. Rex ◽

Audrey Mazelin ◽

Charlotte McGarry ◽

Ben Brewer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Food Security ◽

Low Income ◽

Significant Positive Correlation ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽

Diverse Populations ◽

Reflection Spectroscopy ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Cross Sectional

Background: Older adults report low fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. The lack of objective, field-based assessments of FV intake is a limitation when assessing the effectiveness of interventions. Aim: To examine if self-reported FV intake was correlated with Veggie Meter® scores among low-income older adults. The Veggie Meter® is a portable tool that uses pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy to estimate skin carotenoid measurements. Methods: A cross-sectional assessment of FV intake, food security, and Veggie Meter® score in low-income older adults was conducted. Bivariate analyses quantified the association between FV intake and Veggie Meter® score. Results: Participants ( n = 154) were mostly female (69.3%), non-white (66.2%) and at risk for food insecurity (65.6%). Mean Veggie Meter® score was 172.3 ± 77.2 and had a small significant positive correlation with FV intake (r= 0.192, p = 0.018). Conclusion: The Veggie Meter® may objectively indicate FV intake. Research to validate the Veggie Meter® in older, diverse populations is needed.

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Sociodemographic differences affecting insufficient fruit and vegetable intake: a population-based household survey of Thai people

Journal of Health Research ◽

10.1108/jhr-07-2019-0150 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 34 (5) ◽

pp. 419-429 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Sirinya Phulkerd ◽

Sasinee Thapsuwan ◽

Natjera Thongcharoenchupong ◽

Rossarin Soottipong Gray ◽

Aphichat Chamratrithirong

Keyword(s):

Vegetable Intake ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Household Survey ◽

Population Based ◽

Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Thai Population ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Content Type ◽

Multi Stage

PurposeThe sociodemographic determinants of insufficient fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption in the general population in Thailand remain understudied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between sociodemographic characteristics and insufficient FV consumption in Thailand.Design/methodology/approachThis nationally representative survey employed a cross-sectional multi-stage sampling design. A total of 6,991 individuals aged 15 years or older participated in the study. Information on participants' FV consumption and sociodemographic characteristics were collected via questionnaire. The data were analyzed using binary logistic regression.FindingsThe overall prevalence of insufficient FV consumption in the study sample was 65.6%. Age of the participants, sex, marital status, place of residence, occupation, income and education were found to be significantly associated with insufficient FV consumption among this sample of the Thai population.Originality/valueFindings suggest the need for promotion of FV consumption and intervention policies aimed at increasing FV intake by taking into account sociodemographic characteristics of the population.

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Correction: Education and WHO recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake are associated with better cognitive function in a disadvantaged Brazilian elderly population: a population-based cross-sectional study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0104139 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. e104139

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Elderly Population ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Cross Sectional

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Perceived Produce Availability and Child Fruit and Vegetable Intake: The Healthy Communities Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13113681 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 3681

Author(s):

Laurel F. Moffat ◽

Lorrene D. Ritchie ◽

Wendi Gosliner ◽

Kaela R. Plank ◽

Lauren E. Au

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Food Environment ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthy Communities ◽

Weight Outcomes ◽

Low Income Households

Children eat more fruits and vegetables when more are available at home, but less is known about how the neighborhood food environment relates to children’s diet and weight outcomes. The goal of this study was to determine whether parental perception of the food environment (neighborhood and home) is associated with children’s fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake and weight outcomes, and to assess differences by household food security status and household income. Cross-sectional data from the 2013–2015 U.S. Healthy Communities Study included 5138 children, aged 4 to 15 years old, from 130 U.S. communities. Neighborhood and home food environments were assessed with parent-reported, perceived F&V availability scores. Associations were tested with multi-level linear regression models. Parents’ perception of produce availability was associated with household F&V availability ratings (β = 0.09 points, p < 0.001). Household F&V availability was associated with child F&V intake (β = 0.32 cups/day or 25.6 g/day, p < 0.001). A higher child F&V intake was associated with a lower child BMI z-score (β = −0.05, p = 0.002). Weaker relationships were seen for children living in food insecure or low-income households. Optimizing neighborhood and home access to F&V may help children improve diet quality, but may not be as effective for children living in food insecure or low-income households.

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Analysing capabilities and resources used to incorporate fruit and vegetables into the family diet: findings from an Australian case study

Critical Dietetics ◽

10.32920/cd.v2i1.774 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 13

Author(s):

Samantha B Meyer

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Vegetable Consumption ◽

Fruit And Vegetables ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Organizational Skills ◽

Australian Case ◽

Low Income Families ◽

Conducting Research

Research attributes low fruit and vegetable consumption to problems of access, availability and affordability. We conducted, for the first time, a case study with three families designed and analysed using the sustainable Livelihoods Framework. The benefit of such an approach is that we moved away from identified barriers and towards identifying the capabilities and resources low-income families use to incorporate fruit and vegetables into their diets. Mitigating cost and access, we provided families with a box of fresh fruit and vegetables free of charge for up to 10 weeks and observed and recorded how/if the contents were used. Results identify the importance of social networking, organizational skills, knowledge of health benefits, and social structures. This paper demonstrates an effective methodology for understanding the capabilities of, rather than barriers to, low-income families increasing fruit and vegetable intake. Additionally, we provide a ‘how to’ and ‘lessons from the field’ for researchers interested in conducting research of this nature.

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Awareness and outcomes of the fruits and veggies (FNV) campaign to promote fruit and vegetable consumption among targeted audiences in California and Virginia: a cross-sectional study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11055-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tessa R. Englund ◽

Valisa E. Hedrick ◽

Sofía Rincón-Gallardo Patiño ◽

Lauren E. Kennedy ◽

Kathryn W. Hosig ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Behavioral Outcomes ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽

Brand Awareness ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample

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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The relationship between socioeconomic position and health literacy among urban and rural adults in regional China

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10600-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Wei Chen ◽

Hongfu Ren ◽

Na Wang ◽

Yaqing Xiong ◽

Fei Xu

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Educational Attainment ◽

Socioeconomic Position ◽

Population Based ◽

Outcome Variable ◽

Average Income ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Rural Adults

Abstract Background To examine associations of socioeconomic position (SEP), separately indicated by education, monthly family average income (FAI) and occupation, with health literacy (HL) among adults in regional China. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among urban and rural adults (aged 25–69 years) who were randomly selected, using the probability proportionate to size sampling approach, from Nanjing municipality of China during October and December of 2016. HL, the outcome variable, was assessed using the Chinese Resident Health Literacy Scale. SEP, our independent variable, was separately measured with educational attainment, monthly family average income and occupation. Logistic regression models were introduced to examine SEP-HL association with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Totally, 8698 participants completed the survey. The proportion of participants with unweighted and weighted adequate HL was 18.0% (95%CI = 17.2, 18.8%) and 19.9% (95%CI = 16.6, 23.6%), respectively, in this study. After adjustment for possible confounding factors, each SEP indicator was in significantly positive relation to both unweighted and weight HL level. Participants who obtained 13+ and 10–12 years educational attainment, respectively, had 2.41 (95%CI = 1.60, 3.64) and 1.68 (95%CI = 1.23, 2.29) times odds to record weighted adequate HL compared to their counterparts who were with 0–9 years education. Subjects within upper (OR = 1.92, 95%CI = 1.24, 2.98) and middle FAI tertile (OR = 1.59, 95%CI = 1.19, 2.13), respectively, were more likely to report weighted adequate HL relative to those who were within lower FAI tertile. White collars were more likely to have weighted adequate HL (OR = 1.33, 95%CI = 1.09, 1.61) than blue collars. Conclusions Each of education, FAI and occupation was positively associated with health literacy among urban and rural adults in China. The findings have important implications that different SEP indicators can be used to identify vulnerable residents in population-based health literacy promotion campaigns.

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