scholarly journals Do descriptive norms related to parents and friends predict fruit and vegetable intake similarly among 11-year-old girls and boys?

2015 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 168-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elviira Lehto ◽  
Carola Ray ◽  
Ari Haukkala ◽  
Agneta Yngve ◽  
Inga Thorsdottir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Descriptive Norms ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Pro Greens ◽  
The Impact

AbstractWe examined whether there are sex differences in children’s fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and in descriptive norms (i.e. perceived FV intake) related to parents and friends. We also studied whether friends’ impact is as important as that of parents on children’s FV intake. Data from the PRO GREENS project in Finland were obtained from 424 children at the age 11 years at baseline. At baseline, 2009 children filled in a questionnaire about descriptive norms conceptualised as perceived FV intake of their parents and friends. They also filled in a validated FFQ that assessed their FV intake both at baseline and in the follow-up in 2010. The associations were examined with multi-level regression analyses with multi-group comparisons. Girls reported higher perceived FV intake of friends and higher own fruit intake at baseline, compared with boys, and higher vegetable intake both at baseline and in the follow-up. Perceived FV intake of parents and friends was positively associated with both girls’ and boys’ FV intake in both study years. The impact of perceived fruit intake of the mother was stronger among boys. The change in children’s FV intake was affected only by perceived FV intake of father and friends. No large sex differences in descriptive norms were found, but the impact of friends on children’s FV intake can generally be considered as important as that of parents. Future interventions could benefit from taking into account friends’ impact as role models on children’s FV intake.

scholarly journals The PRO GREENS intervention in Finnish schoolchildren – the degree of implementation affects both mediators and the intake of fruits and vegetables

2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (7) ◽  
pp. 1185-1194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reetta Lehto ◽  
Suvi Määttä ◽  
Elviira Lehto ◽  
Carola Ray ◽  
Saskia te Velde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit Intake ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
School Year ◽  
Actual Degree ◽  
Pro Greens ◽  
High Degree ◽  
The Impact

Little is known about the mediating effects of the determinants of fruit and vegetable (FV) intake in school-based interventions that promote FV intake, and few studies have examined the impact of the degree of implementation on the effects of an intervention. The present study examined whether the degree of implementation of an intervention had an effect on children's fruit or vegetable intake and determined possible mediators of this effect. The study is part of the European PRO GREENS intervention study which aimed to develop effective strategies to promote consumption of fruit and vegetables in schoolchildren across Europe. Data from 727 Finnish children aged 11 years were used. The baseline study was conducted in spring 2009 and the follow-up study 12 months later. The intervention was conducted during the school year 2009–2010. The effects were examined using multilevel mediation analyses. A high degree of implementation of the intervention had an effect on children's fruit intake. Knowledge of recommendations for FV intake and liking mediated the association between a high degree of implementation of the intervention and an increase in the frequency of fruit intake. Knowledge of recommendations for FV intake and bringing fruits to school as a snack mediated the association between a low degree of implementation of the intervention and an increase in the frequency of fruit intake. Overall, the model accounted for 34 % of the variance in the change in fruit intake frequency. Knowledge of recommendations acted as a mediator between the degree of implementation of the intervention and the change in vegetable intake frequency. In conclusion, the degree of implementation had an effect on fruit intake, and thus in future intervention studies the actual degree of implementation of interventions should be assessed when considering the effects of interventions.

scholarly journals Fruit and vegetable consumption in a sample of 11-year-old children in ten European countries – the PRO GREENS cross-sectional survey

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 2436-2444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christel Lynch ◽  
Asa Gudrun Kristjansdottir ◽  
Saskia J te Velde ◽  
Nanna Lien ◽  
Eva Roos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Fruit Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pro Greens

AbstractObjectiveTo describe fruit and vegetable intake of 11-year-old children in ten European countries and compare it with current dietary guidelines.DesignCross-sectional survey. Intake was assessed using a previously validated questionnaire containing a pre-coded 24 h recall and an FFQ which were completed in the classroom. Portion sizes were calculated using a standardized protocol.SettingSurveys were performed in schools regionally selected in eight countries and nationally representative in two countries.SubjectsA total of 8158 children from 236 schools across Europe participating in the PRO GREENS project.ResultsThe total mean consumption of fruit and vegetables was between 220 and 345 g/d in the ten participating countries. Mean intakes did not reach the WHO population goal of ≥400 g/d in any of the participating countries. Girls had a significantly higher intake of total fruit and vegetables than boys in five of the countries (Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Bulgaria and Slovenia). Mean total fruit intake ranged between 114 and 240 g/d and vegetable intake between 73 and 141 g/d. When using the level ≥400 g/d as a cut-off, only 23·5 % (13·8–37·0 %) of the studied children, depending on country and gender, met the WHO recommendation (fruit juice excluded).ConclusionsFruit and vegetable consumption was below recommended levels among the schoolchildren in all countries and vegetable intake was lower than fruit intake. The survey shows that there is a need for promotional activities to improve fruit and vegetable consumption in this age group.

scholarly journals The impact of a multilevel childhood obesity prevention intervention on healthful food acquisition, preparation, and fruit and vegetable consumption on African-American adult caregivers

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela CB Trude ◽  
Pamela J Surkan ◽  
Elizabeth Anderson Steeves ◽  
Keshia Pollack Porter ◽  
Joel Gittelsohn
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Fruit Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Food Acquisition ◽  
Multilevel Studies ◽  
Adult Caregivers ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the secondary impact of a multilevel, child-focused, obesity intervention on food-related behaviours (acquisition, preparation, fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption) on youths’ primary caregivers.DesignB’More Healthy Communities for Kids (BHCK) group-randomized controlled trial promoted access to healthy foods and food-related behaviours through wholesaler and small store strategies, peer mentor-led nutrition education aimed at youths, and social media and text messaging targeting their adult caregivers. Measures included caregivers’ (n516) self-reported household food acquisition frequency for FV, snacks and grocery items over 30 d, and usual FV consumption in a sub-sample of 226 caregivers via the NCI FV Screener. Hierarchical models assessed average treatment effects (ATE). Treatment-on-the-treated-effect (TTE) analyses evaluated correlation between behavioural change and exposure to BHCK. Exposure scores at post-assessment were based on self-reported viewing of BHCK materials and participating in activities.SettingThirty Baltimore City low-income neighbourhoods, USA.ParticipantsAdult caregivers of youths aged 9–15 years.ResultsOf caregivers, 90·89 % were female; mean age 39·31 (sd9·31) years. Baseline mean (sd) intake (servings/d) was 1·30 (1·69) fruits and 1·35 (1·05) vegetables. In ATE, no significant intervention effect was found on caregivers’ food-related behaviours. In TTE, each point increase in BHCK exposure score (range: 0–6·9) increased caregivers’ daily fruit consumption by 0·2 servings (0·24 (se0·11); 95 % CI 0·04, 0·47). Caregivers reporting greater social media exposure tripled their daily fruit intake (3·16 (se0·92); 95 % CI 1·33, 4·99) and increased their frequency of unhealthy food purchasingv. baseline.ConclusionsChild-focused community-based nutrition interventions may also benefit family members’ fruit intake. Child-focused interventions should involve adult caregivers and intervention effects on family members should be assessed. Future multilevel studies should consider using social media to improve reach and engage caregiver participants.

The impact of diet and lifestyle on wellbeing during COVID-19-lockdown

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Muth ◽  
Annabel B Losecaat Vermeer ◽  
Damiano Terenzi ◽  
Soyoung Q Park
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Diet And Lifestyle

A healthy diet and lifestyle may protect against adverse mental health outcomes, which is especially crucial during stressful times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This preregistered longitudinal online study explored whether diet and lifestyle (physical activity, sleep, and social interactions) could predict wellbeing and mood during a light lockdown in Germany. Participants (N = 117, 72 males; 28 9 years old) answered mental health and lifestyle questionnaires (social connections, sleep, activity) followed by submitting one week of food and mood-lifestyle diary (food intake, positive and negative mood, mental wellbeing, sleep quality, physical activity level, quantity and quality of social interactions) via a smartphone app. We used multivariate linear and mixed-effects models to predict mood and wellbeing by using dietary components and lifestyle factors. Inter-individual analyses revealed that sleep and social interaction significantly impacted mood and wellbeing. Interestingly, fruit and vegetable intake predicted wellbeing, even when controlling for all lifestyle factors. Fruit and vegetable intake also significantly predicted daily fluctuations in wellbeing within individuals next to sleep, physical activity, and social interactions. We observed gender differences in fruit and vegetable intake and anxiety levels. Our results emphasize the importance of diet contributing to individual wellbeing, even in the challenging times of a pandemic.

scholarly journals Improving fruit and vegetable intake attenuates the genetic association with long-term weight gain

2019 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 759-768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiange Wang ◽  
Yoriko Heianza ◽  
Dianjianyi Sun ◽  
Yan Zheng ◽  
Tao Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Genetic Susceptibility ◽  
Genetic Risk ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Genetic Risk Score ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable

ABSTRACT Background Whether changes in fruit and vegetable intake can modify the effect of genetic susceptibility to obesity on long-term changes in BMI and body weight are uncertain. Objective We analyzed the interactions of changes in total and specific fruit and vegetable intake with genetic susceptibility to obesity in relation to changes in BMI and body weight. Methods We calculated a genetic risk score on the basis of 77 BMI-associated loci to determine the genetic susceptibility to obesity, and examined the interactions of changes in total and specific fruit and vegetable intake with the genetic risk score on changes in BMI and body weight within five 4-y intervals over 20 y of follow-up in 8943 women from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and 5308 men from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS). Results In the combined cohorts, repeated 4-y BMI change per 10-risk allele increment was 0.09 kg/m2 among participants with the greatest decrease in total fruit and vegetable intake and −0.02 among those with the greatest increase in intake (P-interaction <0.001; corresponding weight change: 0.20 kg compared with −0.06 kg). The magnitude of decrease in BMI associated with increasing fruit and vegetable intake was more prominent among participants with high genetic risk than those with low risk. Reproducible interactions were observed for fruits and vegetables separately (both P-interaction <0.001). Based on similar nutritional content, the interaction effect was greatest for berries, citrus fruits, and green leafy vegetables, and the interaction pattern persisted regardless of the different fiber content or glycemic load of fruits and vegetables. Conclusions Genetically associated increased BMI and body weight could be mitigated by increasing fruit and vegetable intake, and the beneficial effect of improving fruit and vegetable intake on weight management was more pronounced in individuals with greater genetic susceptibility to obesity.

scholarly journals The impact on adolescents of a Transtheoretical Model-based programme on fruit and vegetable consumption

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 2500-2508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamer Gur ◽  
Saime Erol ◽  
Hasibe Kadioglu ◽  
Ayse Ergun ◽  
Rukiye Boluktas
Keyword(s):  
Stages Of Change ◽  
Transtheoretical Model ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Decisional Balance ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Model Based ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjective:The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of a Transtheoretical Model-based programme titled ‘Fruit &amp; Vegetable-Friendly’ on the fruit and vegetable (F&amp;V) consumption of adolescents.Design:A quasi-experimental study. The ‘Fruit &amp; Vegetable-Friendly’, a multicomponent intervention based on the Transtheoretical Model, was completed in eight weeks. The data were collected one week before the intervention, one week after the completion of the intervention and six months after the post-test with an F&amp;V intake questionnaire and the stages of change, processes of change (α = 0·91), situational self-efficacy (α = 0·91) and decisional balance (α = 0·90 for pros, α = 0·87 for cons) scales. Data were analysed with the Friedman, Wilcoxon and marginal homogeneity tests.Setting:A public secondary school in Istanbul, Turkey.Participants:Seven hundred and two adolescents.Results:The mean (sd) F&amp;V intake of adolescents in the passive stages rose from the daily average at the time of the pre-test of 3·40 (1·79) portions to 5·45 (2·54) portions on the post-test and to 5·75 (2·70) portions on the follow-up test (P &lt; 0·01). While the students in the passive stages represented 41·6 % of the participants prior to the programme, this rate fell to 23·7 % at the post-test and to 22·7 % at the follow-up. Students in the active stages first represented 58·5 % of the participants; this rate rose to 76·4 % at the post-test and to 77·2 % at the follow-up test.Conclusions:The programme was effective in increasing the amount of F&amp;V the adolescents consumed on a daily basis.

scholarly journals The Impact of a Community Fruit and Vegetable Voucher Program (Vouchers 4 Veggies) on Improvements in Dietary Intake and Food Security (P04-013-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Jennings ◽  
Sanjana Marpadga ◽  
Cissie Bonini ◽  
Melissa Akers ◽  
Ronli Levi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Health Perception ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Voucher Program ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Vouchers 4 Veggies (V4V) is a transformative healthy food voucher program aimed at increasing access to and affordability of healthy food in the most vulnerable communities. Between 2015–2018, over 2600 ethnically diverse low-income individuals were enrolled in the program with the goal to increase their fruit and vegetable intake, improve food security status and change health perception. Methods V4V partners with local community-based organizations and clinics that serve as voucher distribution sites as well as neighborhoods stores, grocery stores, and famer's markets where participants can redeem their vouchers. Participants receive $20-$40 worth of vouchers per month for 6 months. Data for this evaluation were collected using pre- and post- surveys (at 0 and 4–6 months) that included a validated fruit and vegetable intake screener, the USDA 7-item food security screener, demographic questions and health perception questions. Results Data from 862 matched surveys indicate that mean fruit and vegetable intake increased from 2.49 to 3.52 servings daily, corresponding to a 1.03 servings increase after six months in the program (0.89,1.77; P < .001). In addition, V4V participants’ food security scores improved, decreasing 0.88 points (−1.07, −0.71; P < 0.001) on a 6 point scale (0 being the most food secure and 6 being very food insecure), from a mean of 5.53 to 4.65 using the USDA validated 6-item scale. When stratified by race, food security improved significantly for all major racial groups except Black/African Americans. Finally, participants reported a statistically significant improvement in self-reported health status (P < 0.001), with a 14% change in status from poor/fair health to good/very good/excellent health. Conclusions This evaluation suggests that a modest supplement for fruits and vegetables may be able to improve dietary intake, support food security, and improve health perception among vulnerable residents of San Francisco. More research is needed to understand differences in maintaining long-term health and behavior changes among program participants. Funding Sources V4V received funding from the SF Department of Public Health, Hellman Foundation, AARP Foundation, and Kaiser Permanente Community Benefits Program.

scholarly journals Fruit and Vegetable Lesson Plan Pilot Intervention for Grade 5 Students from Southwestern Ontario

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (22) ◽  
pp. 8422
Author(s):  
Sarah J. Woodruff ◽  
Clinton Beckford ◽  
Stephanie Segave
Keyword(s):  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Lesson Plan ◽  
Food Delivery ◽  
Lesson Plans ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Food Literacy ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The Impact

The purpose was to create and assess the impact of food literacy curriculum alongside a centrally procured school snack program among grade five students in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Grade five students (N = 287) from five intervention and three controls schools participated in an 8-week food delivery program. In addition to the food delivery program, intervention schools received a resource kit and access to 42 multidisciplinary food literacy lesson plans using the produce delivered as part of the food delivery program. Participants completed matched pre- and post-test online surveys to assess fruit and vegetable intake, knowledge, preferences, and attitudes. Descriptive analyses and changes in scores between the intervention and control schools were assessed using one-way ANOVAs, paired samples t-tests, and McNemar’s tests. In total, there were 220 participants that completed both the pre- and post-test surveys. There was a significant improvement in fruit and vegetable intake (p = 0.038), yet no differences in knowledge of the recommended number of food group servings, knowledge of food groups, or fruit and vegetable preferences or attitudes were observed. Integrating nutrition lesson plans within core curricula classes (e.g., math, science, and literacy) can lead to modest increases in fruit and vegetable intake.

scholarly journals Assessing the effects of vegetable consumption on the psychological health of healthy adults: a systematic review of prospective research

2019 ◽  
Vol 110 (1) ◽  
pp. 196-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola-Jayne Tuck ◽  
Claire Farrow ◽  
Jason M Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Causal Relation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Fruit Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Psychological Well Being

ABSTRACT Background To alleviate the immense health and economic burden of mental illness, modifiable targets to promote psychological health are required. Emerging evidence suggests that both fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption may play an important role. However, the precise contribution of vegetable consumption, which may represent a more potent target than the consumption of fruit, has received little attention. Objectives This review aimed to synthesize and evaluate research investigating the effects of vegetable consumption on mental health and psychological well-being in nonclinical, healthy adult populations. We aimed to provide insight into the causal relation between vegetable consumption and these outcomes. Methods Only studies with prospective or experimental data were included. The survey of the literature was last implemented on 1 February, 2019. Results Ten eligible studies were identified, with a total sample size of n = 33,645, that measured vegetable intake separately from fruit, or combined this with fruit intake. Where studies explored the independent effects of fruit and vegetable consumption on psychological health (n = 3), 2 reported a preferential effect of vegetables (compared with fruit) on psychological well-being, whereas 1 reported a superior effect of fruit intake on odds reduction of symptoms of depression. More broadly, there was evidence that consuming the recommended amount of F&V (and exceeding this) was associated with increased psychological well-being. However, the effects of F&V consumption on mental health symptoms were inconsistent. Conclusions Increased F&V consumption has a positive effect on psychological well-being and there appears to be a preferential effect of vegetables (compared with fruit) from the limited data examined. The effect of F&V intake on mental health is less clear and, at present, there are no clear data to support a preferential effect of vegetable intake on mental health outcomes. Hence, additional research is warranted to investigate the influence of vegetables, compared with fruit, on psychological health in order to inform nutrition-based interventions. This review was registered at www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero as CRD42017072880.

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