scholarly journals Understanding barriers to fruit and vegetable intake in the Australian Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children: a mixed-methods approach

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 832-847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Ann Thurber ◽  
Cathy Banwell ◽  
Teresa Neeman ◽  
Timothy Dobbins ◽  
Melanie Pescud ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo identify barriers to fruit and vegetable intake for Indigenous Australian children and quantify factors related to these barriers, to help understand why children do not meet recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake.DesignWe examined factors related to carer-reported barriers using multilevel Poisson models (robust variance); a key informant focus group guided our interpretation of findings.SettingEleven diverse sites across Australia.SubjectsAustralian Indigenous children and their carers (N1230) participating in the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children.ResultsAlmost half (45 %;n555/1230) of carers reported barriers to their children’s fruit and vegetable intake. Dislike of fruit and vegetables was the most common barrier, reported by 32·9 % of carers; however, we identified few factors associated with dislike. Carers were more than ten times less likely to report barriers to accessing fruit and vegetables if they lived large citiesv. very remote areas. Within urban and inner regional areas, child and carer well-being, financial security, suitable housing and community cohesion promoted access to fruit and vegetables.ConclusionsIn this national Indigenous Australian sample, almost half of carers faced barriers to providing their children with a healthy diet. Both remote/outer regional carers and disadvantaged urban/inner regional carers faced problems accessing fruit and vegetables for their children. Where vegetables were accessible, children’s dislike was a substantial barrier. Nutrition promotion must address the broader family, community, environmental and cultural contexts that impact nutrition, and should draw on the strengths of Indigenous families and communities.

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 480-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Schätzer ◽  
Petra Rust ◽  
Ibrahim Elmadfa

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the intake frequency of fruit and vegetables, serving sizes, reasons for and barriers to consumption, and the potential for increasing fruit and vegetable intake.DesignA nationwide postal questionnaire survey was conducted in 2006 over all four seasons. The participants were stratified according to occupation and sex. The response rate for 5130 questionnaires sent out was 52·7 %.SettingAustria.SubjectsAustrian adults, aged 19–64 years.ResultsDaily fruit consumption was reported by 57·1 % of the participants and daily vegetable consumption by 36·2 %. On average, 2·1 (sd 1·9) servings (250 (sd 225) g) of fruit and 1·7 (sd 1·3) servings (198 (sd 159) g) of vegetables were consumed daily. Women ate fruit and vegetables both more frequently and in greater quantities than men. Both intake frequency and the number of fruit and vegetable servings were largely independent of seasonal fluctuations. The primary reason for the consumption of both fruit and vegetables was taste. The greatest barrier to higher intake was the perception that current individual consumption was already sufficient. Price did not constitute a relevant barrier in Austria. At present, the potential for increasing fruit and vegetable intake can be estimated at two servings.ConclusionsAustrian adults still consume less fruit and vegetables than recommended. Strategies to increase intake should pay more attention to the taste instead of the various health aspects.


Proceedings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Alicia Clark ◽  
Maria Anna Choukri

Background: Fruit and vegetables are an important [...]


2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lígia Cardoso dos Reis ◽  
Ingrid Chaves Correia ◽  
Edna Shibuya Mizutani

Objective : To assess the nutritional and dietetic profile of freshman Nutrition undergraduate students, and its association with stages of changes (Transtheoretical Model) for fruit and vegetable intake. Methods : Demographic (age and gender), anthropometric (body mass index and waist circumference) and nutritional (pattern of fruit and vegetable intake) data were obtained. The Transtheoretical Model was used to identify the stages of change for fruit and vegetable intake. Food consumption was assessed with a questionnaire developed by the Ministry of Health. The significance level considered for all statistical tests was 0.05 (p<0.05). Results : From 433 eligible students, anthropometric measurements were taken from 219 (50.6%), and 299 (69%) underwent food intake evaluation. The sample included undergraduate students with a low frequency of adequate fruit and vegetables intake (29.8%), being the majority (64.9%) of them classified as at the preparation stage to increase the intake of these food groups. Prevalence of adequate fruit and vegetables intake was higher among students at the action/maintenance stages (83.3%) compared to those at the precontemplation/contemplation (18.3%) and at the preparation stages (32.0%). Students at the preparation stage presented the highest medians for body mass index (p=0.004) and waist circumference (p=0.039) compared to those at the precontemplation/contemplation stages. There was no association between fruit and vegetables intake and the presence of overweight or abdominal obesity (p=0.373). Conclusion : This instrument is effective to predict the food intake and, even among aware individuals and ready to change their food behavior, the prevalence of nutritional risk is high.


2010 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanvir Quadir ◽  
Noori Akhtar-Danesh

Purpose: We explored whether Canada's diverse ethnic population consumes an adequate daily amount of fruit and vegetables. We also examined the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and long-term diseases. Methods: The Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 2.2 (CCHS 2.2), was used to determine the fruit and vegetable intake (FVI) of 13 racial groups, as well as of the entire population. Specifically, we determined median intake and proportions of the group consuming five or more daily servings. Multiple pairwise comparisons among the proportions were performed to detect ethnic groups with significantly low FVI. Logistic regression was also used to describe the risk of longterm diseases associated with FVI and ethnicity. Results: The percentages of Southeast Asian, Aboriginal (offreserve), and Chinese people who consumed five or more daily servings of fruit and vegetables were significantly lower than percentages in all other ethnic groups surveyed. Aboriginal people with the lowest FVI demonstrated the highest propensity for developing most of the long-term diseases. Conclusions: The majority of Canada's ethnic groups identified in the CCHS 2.2 fell short of the recommended FVI target. This low-intake status might be a risk factor for common long-term diseases.


2002 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 373-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Pollard ◽  
S. F. L Kirk ◽  
J. E Cade

AbstractThe present review provides an investigation into the food choice decisions made by individuals in relation to fruit and vegetable consumption. A comprehensive body of evidence now exists concerning the protective effect of fruit and vegetables against a number of diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease and certain forms of cancer. Current UK recommendations are to increase intakes of fruit and vegetables to 400 g/person per d. In the main body of the review the factors that affect food choice decisions of adults in relation to fruit and vegetable consumption are studied, following a suggested framework of food choice. Factors covered include sensory appeal, familiarity and habit, social interactions, cost, availability, time constraints, personal ideology, media and advertising and health. The content of the review shows just how complex the food choice process can be. Health promotion techniques can be better targeted towards certain groups of individuals, all holding similar sets of values, when making food choice decisions. Food choice, in relation to fruit and vegetable intake, needs to be studied in more depth, in order to provide effective nutrition education programmes, in particular the sets of priorities that different sub-groups of the population consider when making food choice decisions.


2011 ◽  
Vol 106 (6) ◽  
pp. 931-935 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bela Franchini ◽  
Rui Poínhos ◽  
Knut-Inge Klepp ◽  
Maria Daniel Vaz de Almeida

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between parenting styles and own fruit and vegetable consumption among Portuguese mothers of school children. A cross-sectional study was performed in Portugal as part of the Pro Children cross-sectional European survey. Portuguese mothers (n 1601) of 11–13-year-old school children were included in the present study. A self-administered questionnaire was developed to assess fruit and vegetable consumption as well as the parenting styles. Fruit and vegetable consumption was assessed by a validated FFQ. Parenting styles based on two dimensions – strictness and involvement – were classified into authoritative, authoritarian, indulgent and neglectful. The higher mean intakes of fruit, vegetables and total fruit and vegetables were observed for mothers classified as indulgent, whereas the lower mean intakes were observed for mothers classified as neglectful. Differences in intake among parenting styles were significant for fruit, vegetables and total fruit and vegetables. When partial correlations were calculated between the two dimensions, strictness and involvement (controlled one for the other), and intakes, only involvement was positively associated with fruit, vegetables and total fruit and vegetable intake. Findings from the present study show that fruit and vegetable consumption of Portuguese mothers of school children seems to be related to their own parenting styles, especially with the dimension involvement. Future interventions to promote fruit and vegetable intake should take into account these variables.


2002 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennie Pollard ◽  
Darren Greenwood ◽  
Sara Kirk ◽  
Janet Cade

Abstract:Background: Despite recommendations to increase fruit and vegetable consumption within the UK population, intakes are still too low. In order to stimulate dietary behaviour change the determinants of food choice need to be explored.Objectives:To investigate how the priorities of high consumers of fruit and vegetables differ from those of low consumers, with respect to food choice motivations, and to identify what value high and low consumers place on different aspects of food choice behaviour.Design:A 4-day food diary and a questionnaire, including The Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ) and a measure of Stage of Change (SOC) for fruit and vegetable consumption, were administered to subjects. Motivation scores from the FCQ were compared with fruit and vegetable intake and SOC data.Subjects:Nine hundred and ninety-eight females, aged 35–69 years, participating in the UK Women's Cohort Study.Results:In a multiple linear regression model, including age, education level and all FCQ motivations, the strongest motivations specifically affecting fruit and vegetable intake were health and natural content. It was found that, for a one point increase (measured on a scale of 0–4) in health and natural content scores, fruit and vegetable consumption increased by 1.11 portions (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5–1.7) and 0.84 portions (95% CI 0.4–1.3), respectively (P>0.01). The SOC evaluation showed significant associations with portions of fruit and vegetables consumed (P>0.01). Women whose SOC was classed as maintenance phase were found to score higher on health, natural content, weight control and ethical concern factors (P>0.01). These women also scored lower on convenience questions (P>0.01).Conclusion:In this particular group of women the most important motivating factors for food choice, within the high fruit and vegetable consumers, were health and natural content of the food.


2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1206-1214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilke JC van Ansem ◽  
Carola TM Schrijvers ◽  
Gerda Rodenburg ◽  
Dike van de Mheen

AbstractObjectiveTo examine: (i) the association between home availability of fruit and vegetables and children's fruit and vegetable intake; (ii) the association between parental perception of the local food shopping environment and the home availability of fruit and vegetables; and (iii) whether the home availability of fruit and vegetables mediates the association between parental perception of the local food environment and children's fruit and vegetable consumption.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingA total of ninety-one primary schools in the Netherlands.SubjectsIn total 1501 primary caregivers completed a questionnaire to measure children's fruit and vegetable consumption, home availability of fruit and vegetables, parental perceptions of the local food shopping environment (price, quality and availability), the child's socio-economic status, the child's ethnicity and maternal height and weight.ResultsThe home availability of fruit and vegetables was positively associated with children's fruit and vegetable intake (P < 0·01 and P < 0·001, respectively). Negative parental perceptions of the local food shopping environment were associated with less fruit available at home (P < 0·05, P < 0·01 and P < 0·05 for price, quality and availability of fruit, respectively). No significant associations were found between parental perception of the local food shopping environment and children's fruit and vegetable consumption. We found no evidence that home availability of fruit and vegetables mediates the association between parental perception of the local food environment and children's fruit and vegetable intake.ConclusionsInterventions focusing on improving the home availability of fruit and vegetables may help to increase children's fruit and vegetable consumption. However, more data are required on factors influencing the home availability of fruit and vegetables.


2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
LM Bermejo ◽  
A Aparicio ◽  
P Andrés ◽  
AM López-Sobaler ◽  
RM Ortega

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the difference in the nutritional status of elderly people depending on their consumption of fruits and vegetables, and to study the possible association between the consumption of these foods and different cardiovascular risk factors, especially total plasma homocysteine (t-Hcys) levels.Design, setting and subjectsA cross-sectional study in 152 institutionalised older people from Madrid aged ≥ 65 years. Food and nutrient intakes were recorded over 7 days using the ‘precise individual weighing’ method. The weight, height, and waist and hip circumferences of all subjects were recorded, as were their α-erythrocyte glutathione reductase, serum B6, B12and folate levels, erythrocyte folate levels, t-Hcys levels, serum lipids and blood pressure. The experimental population was then divided into tertiles depending on the serving intake of fruit and vegetables (T1, < 2.29 servings day− 1; T2, 2.29–2.79 servings day− 1; and T3, >2.79 servings day− 1).ResultsCompared with T1 subjects, T3 subjects showed consumptions of cereals, pulses, meat, fish and eggs closer to those recommended (P < 0.05). In addition, the contribution of their diet towards covering the recommended daily intake of vitamin B1, niacin, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin C, B12, vitamin A, and P, Mg, Zn and Fe was higher. The intake of fibre increased with consumption of fruit and vegetables (r = 0.6839,P < 0.001). T3 subjects also had better serum and erythrocyte folate levels than T1 and T2 subjects (P < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between the consumption of fruit and vegetables and serum folate (r = 0.2665,P < 0.01) and with erythrocyte folate levels (r = 0.2034,P < 0.05), and a negative correlation with t-Hcys (r = − 0.2493,P < 0.01).ConclusionsGreater consumption of fruit and vegetables is associated with better food habits, increased vitamin and mineral intakes and lower t-Hcys levels. Considering that the fruit and vegetable intake in Spanish elderly people is very low, it is recommended that the consumption of fruits and vegetables by elderly people be increased.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document