scholarly journals The fruit and vegetable intake of young Australian adults: a population perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (14) ◽  
pp. 2499-2512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Nour ◽  
Zhixian Sui ◽  
Amanda Grech ◽  
Anna Rangan ◽  
Kevin McGeechan ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo examine intakes and variety of fruit and vegetables consumed by Australian young adults, also assessing differences by meal occasion and sociodemographic characteristics.DesignSecondary analysis of cross-sectional 24 h recall data collected through the 2011–12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Crude means and proportions consuming fruits and vegetables were calculated. Pearsonχ2tests, Kruskal–Wallis analyses and linear regression models were used to assess differences in mean intakes by age, BMI and sociodemographic variables. The variety eaten was determined based on the number of fruit and vegetable subgroups consumed.SettingRepresentative sample of metropolitan and rural areas across Australia.SubjectsRespondents aged 18–34 years were included (n2397).ResultsMean daily intake of fruit (128 g/0·9 servings) and vegetables (205 g/2·7 servings) was lower than the minimum recommended intake set at 2 and 5 servings, respectively. Age was positively associated with fruit and vegetable intake (P=0·002,P<0·001), with 18–24-year-olds reporting the poorest vegetable variety compared with 25–29- and 30–34-year-olds (P=0·002). When controlling for total energy, males consumed less vegetables than females (P=0·002). A large proportion of the 15 % of respondents who consumed adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables on the day prior to the survey reported intake across all meal occasions (P<0·001).ConclusionsFruit and vegetable intake is suboptimal among Australian young adults. An age-appropriate campaign is recommended to target increased consumption, particularly for those aged 18–24 years, with opportunity to promote increased variety and consumption across the day.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tessa R. Englund ◽  
Valisa E. Hedrick ◽  
Sofía Rincón-Gallardo Patiño ◽  
Lauren E. Kennedy ◽  
Kathryn W. Hosig ◽  
...  

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.


2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 413-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Regina Galego ◽  
Gisele Liliam D'avila ◽  
Francisco de Assis Guedes de Vasconcelos

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of the fruit and vegetable intake of schoolchildren aged 7 to 14 years from Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, and analyze the associated factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed food intake, socioeconomic, and biological data of 2,836 schoolchildren. The Chi-square test analyzed the dependent (fruit and vegetable intake) and independent variables; the latter with p-value <0.20 were selected for logistic regression analysis. The level of significance was p<0.05. Results: Only 4.8% of the sample had adequate fruit and vegetable intake. The variables associated with adequate fruit and vegetable intake were school ownership status (private versus public), mother's education level, and family income per member. After adjustment only family income per capita remained associated with fruit and vegetable intake. Conclusion: The fruit and vegetable intake of schoolchildren aged 7 to 14 years from Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, is inadequate.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jina Choo ◽  
Hye-Jin Kim ◽  
Hwami Yang ◽  
Suyeon Kim ◽  
In-Young Lee

Purpose: Increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables is recommended for the prevention of childhood obesity. Obesity in children affects the liver, causing conditions such as elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Elevated ALT levels in obese children may be associated with features of metabolic syndrome. Yet empirical evidence on the association between fruit and vegetable intake and ALT levels in children has been lacking. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. Participants were 115 children aged 6 to 12 years, who were recruited from community child care centers in a community of Seoul metropolitan area in South Korea. Eating and activity behaviors were obtained by questionnaire administration. ALT levels were analyzed as a dichotomous variable with normal vs. abnormal values (≥30 IU/dL in boys and ≥19 IU/dL in girls). According to body mass index (BMI) percentile, participants were categorized into a normal-weight group of below the 85 th percentile, an overweight group between the 85 th and <95 th percentiles, and an obese group at or above the 95 th percentile. Eating behaviors were assessed via daily intake of fruits and vegetables as a dichotomous variable of 7 days vs. <7 days per week, and frequent intake of fast foods and sweetened beverages as dichotomous variables of < 3 days vs. ≥3 days per week. Daily physical activity was assessed as a dichotomous variable of 7 days vs. < 7 days per week. A logistic regression analysis was performed with an outcome variable of abnormal ALT and a predictor variable of daily fruit and vegetable intake, after adjusting for age, sex, income, alcohol consumption, frequent intake of fast food, frequent beverage intake, daily activity, and obesity groups. Results: Participants were 53.0% female, with a mean age of 9.7 years and a mean BMI percentile of 49.4%. Of the total participants, 28.7% were overweight or obese, and 24.3% were in the abnormal range for ALT levels. In a multivariate-adjusted model, children with a daily intake of fruits and vegetables were significantly less likely to have abnormal ALT levels (odds ratio [OR]=0.27, p=.017). Moreover, the obese group was significantly more likely to have abnormal ALT levels than the normal-weight group (OR=9.6, p=.005). Conclusions: Among children aged 6 to 12 years, daily fruit and vegetable intake was significantly and inversely associated with abnormal ALT levels, even after adjusting for overall obesity levels. Moreover, obesity in children was significantly associated with abnormal ALT levels. Therefore, ALT levels may reflect healthy eating behavior, especially fruit and vegetable intake, and a risk for obesity in children.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-18
Author(s):  
Zhi Yin Goh ◽  
Pei Ying Lee ◽  
Yi Feng Lai

Introduction: Many modifiable risk factors for chronic diseases are related to dietary patterns and physical activity. This study aims to establish the prevalence of adequate fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity among community-ambulant patients in Singapore. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among community-ambulant patients using convenience sampling. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire, covering self-reported level of physical activity and daily fruit and vegetable intake. Demographic information, awareness and adherence to recommendations were summarised using descriptive statistics. To identify factors influencing awareness and behaviour, exploratory logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: Three hundred and eighty-five complete responses were analysed. For intake of fruits and vegetables, 29.1% and 21.3% of participants were aware of and adherent to the fruit and vegetable intake recommendation respectively. For physical activity, 21.3% and 26.8% of study participants were aware of and adherent to the recommendation respectively. Only 4.7% and 5.5% of participants were aware of and practising both recommendations respectively. Gender, age, ethnicity and body mass index were found to have significant influence on the awareness of the recommendations. However, there was no significant factor found to be contributing to the adherence to the recommendations. Conclusion: Awareness of and adherence to lifestyle recommendations among patients remain low despite ongoing publicity efforts. Many are not fully aware of and adherent to the dietary and physical activity recommendations publicised. Apart from intensifying public outreach on every possible occasion and delivering messages in manners understandable by our older patients, strategies targeting the knowledge–behaviour disconnect among working middle-aged patients also deserve continued attention in the near future.


2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. S19-S24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrícia Constante Jaime ◽  
Carlos Augusto Monteiro

This study estimated indicators of fruit and vegetable intake by Brazilian adults and examined the influence of demographic and socioeconomic variables on the consumption of these foods. We used the following indicators: daily fruit intake, daily vegetable intake, and daily consumption of five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Only 41.0% of adults reported daily fruit intake, while 30.0% reported daily vegetable intake. Fruit and vegetable intake was more common in urban as compared to rural areas and increased in both genders with age, schooling, and number of household goods. We conclude that initiatives to promote fruit and vegetable consumption are necessary for the country as a whole, but special attention should be given to younger individuals, males, rural communities, and groups with less schooling and lower income.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4072
Author(s):  
Daisuke Machida

This study investigated the relationship between prefecture-level yield of not-for-sale fruits and vegetables and individual-level fruit and vegetable intake in Japan. Data were drawn from the Japanese National Health and Nutrition Survey and National Crop Survey of 2016. Random intercept models were used for the analyses. Individual-level fruit and vegetable intake was used for the dependent variable, and prefecture-level yield of not-for-sale fruits and vegetables was used for the independent variable as a fixed effect. In addition, participants’ characteristics and health-related factors at the individual level were also put into independent variables as fixed effects. The prefectures were used as random intercepts. It was found that prefecture-level yield of not-for-sale fruits and vegetables was significantly related to individual-level fruit and vegetable intake (vegetable: B = 0.390, p < 0.001; fruit: B = 0.268, p = 0.003; fruits and vegetables: B = 0.357, p < 0.001). These relationships were also significant in the gender-specific analysis. Thus, the yield of not-for-sale fruits and vegetables might contribute to the intake of fruits and vegetables in Japan.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 243-243
Author(s):  
Kelly Parker ◽  
Annika Rotvold ◽  
Kerrie Honrath ◽  
Yeong Rhee

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between average daily intake of fruits and vegetables and mental health in college students as measured by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Methods A survey was developed to assess college students’ fruit and vegetable intake and recent mental health using the Eating at America's Table Food Frequency Questionnaire (EAT) and the DASS-21. The survey was administered via Qualtrics in the initial three months after lockdown began due to COVID-19 in the area. Trained researchers coded the DASS-21 for the presence and level of depression, anxiety, and stress. The EAT was used to calculate the average number of fruits and vegetables consumed daily by each student by calculating the total number of cups of each fruit and vegetable as counted by the USDA MyPlate tool. Pearson's correlations were run between the average daily number of fruits and vegetables consumed and the severity score for depression, anxiety, and stress to determine whether relationships existed between the variables of interest. Results One hundred ninety-six students responded to the survey. Students were an average of 21.7 years of age (std dev. 4.4 years), mostly female (54.7%), freshmen (30.1%), who were enrolled full-time (69.3%). Most students identified as single (65.2%), and not in a relationship (35.6%), and as living off-campus (34.8%). Pearson's correlations revealed a slight relationship between average daily number of fruits and average daily number of vegetables consumed (r = 0.374, P &lt; 0.01). There was no significant relationship between either fruit or vegetable consumption and any of the mental health variables. There was, however, a moderate to strong relationship between depression and anxiety (r = 0.480, P &lt; 0.01) or stress (r = 0.686, P &lt; 0.01) and anxiety and stress (r = 0.627, P &lt; 0.01). Conclusions College students’ mental health at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown was not related to their daily fruit and vegetable intake. Funding Sources N/A


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4467
Author(s):  
Björg Helgadóttir ◽  
Hanna Baurén ◽  
Karin Kjellenberg ◽  
Örjan Ekblom ◽  
Gisela Nyberg

This study explored whether breakfast habits were associated with intake of fruits and vegetables, minutes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), minutes spent sedentary, and screen time among adolescents. Cross-sectional data were collected among 13–14-year-old boys and girls (n = 1139). Breakfast habits and screen time were determined via questionnaire, fruit and vegetable intake were determined through dietary recall, and physical activity and sedentary time were determined via accelerometers. Multilevel mixed models and general estimation equation models were applied. Almost 40% of participants skipped breakfast at least one day of the week. Participants with irregular breakfast habits on weekdays had lower fruit and vegetable consumption by 26.7 g (95% CI = −49.3, −5.9) while irregular breakfast habits during the whole week were associated with higher levels of screen time (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1, 2.1) compared to regular breakfast habits. Girls with irregular breakfast habits on weekdays had 7.7 min more sedentary time (95% CI = 0.8, 15.7) than girls with regular breakfast habits, while the opposite was found in boys (β = −13.3, 95% CI = −25.3, −2.6)). No significant associations were found for MVPA. Regular breakfast habits should be encouraged, as they might contribute to a higher intake of fruit and vegetables and are associated with lower levels of screen time, although further studies are necessary to establish causation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 112 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-45
Author(s):  
Sarah Minkow ◽  
Virginia Gray ◽  
Selena Nguyen Rodriguez ◽  
Wendy Reiboldt ◽  
James Childers

Cooking attitudes and behaviors among college students—and related implications to dietary quality—are largely unexplored. This study assessed the relationship between college students' fruit and vegetable intakes and cooking attitudes, confidence, and frequency (N = 448) using a cross-sectional survey. Hierarchical linear regression models examined associations between cooking attitudes, confidence, and frequency of fruit and vegetable intake. Fruit and vegetable intake was positively correlated with cooking attitudes, confidence, and frequency. Regression analysis indicated cooking frequency is a significant predictor of fruit and vegetable consumption when controlling for sex, kitchen access, and cooking attitudes and confidence. Future studies are needed to investigate the impact of cooking interventions on diet quality.


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