Fruit and vegetable intakes, associated characteristics and perceptions of current and future availability in Dutch university students

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 1951-1959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole van den Bogerd ◽  
Jolanda Maas ◽  
Jacob C Seidell ◽  
S Coosje Dijkstra

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate fruit and vegetable (F&V) intakes of university students and associated demographic and lifestyle characteristics, and students’ perceptions of F&V availability and F&V intervention strategies in the university environment.DesignCross-sectional questionnaire data were collected; F&V intakes were measured using a food frequency tool. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to analyse the associations between demographic and lifestyle characteristics and F&V intakes.SettingUniversities in the Netherlands.SubjectsUniversity students (n 717).ResultsThe majority of students did not adhere to Dutch F&V guidelines (71 % and 93 %, respectively). Fruit intake was lower among students who were male, living independently, enrolled in a technical study, not adhering to physical activity guidelines, and heavy to excessive alcohol drinkers. Vegetable intake was lower among students who were non-Dutch, living with their parents, not adhering to physical activity guidelines, and moderate and heavy to excessive alcohol drinkers. Most students perceived that their university environment offers sufficient healthy foods (60 %) and F&V (65 %), but also indicated that their F&V intakes would increase with interventions concerning affordable F&V in the university canteen (64 %) or university supermarket (60 %). Students were less disposed to indicate that weekly local farmers’ markets, vegetable parcels or a vegetable garden would increase their F&V intakes.ConclusionsDutch university students do not consume enough F&V. Future efforts that aim to promote students’ F&V intakes should consider the differences between subgroups based on demographic and lifestyle characteristics and that affordable F&V in the university environment might be an effective strategy.

Retos ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 979-987
Author(s):  
Yisel Pinillos Patiño ◽  
Enny Oviedo Argumedo ◽  
Roberto Rebolledo Cobos ◽  
Yaneth Herazo Beltrán ◽  
Patricia Valencia Fontalvo ◽  
...  

  El estilo de vida es concebido como un comportamiento cotidiano y que permanece en el tiempo, el cual evidencia los patrones individuales de conducta de una persona; además, y está determinado por factores sociales, culturales y personales. La etapa universitaria se constituye en este sentido, en una oportunidad para promover la modificación de hábitos por conductas saludables. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar los estilos de vida en estudiantes universitarios y las diferencias según el sexo y el estatus socioeconómico. Se realizó un estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo de corte transversal con 508 universitarios a quienes se les aplicó una encuesta auto administrada sobre sus condiciones sociodemográficas, mientras que los estilos de vida fueron evaluados mediante el cuestionario de Perfil del Estilo de Vida de Pender II (PEVP-II). Se observó que solo el 24,02% (n=122) de la muestra controla frecuentemente los niveles de azúcares y de grasas el 21,85% (n=111), en su alimentación; más del 20% (n=102) no realiza actividad física, entre el 20 (n=102) y 30% (n=152) no regulan los azúcares o incluyen frutas y vegetales en sus dietas; los promedios inferiores al 60%(n=305) en los factores asociados contemplados en el estudio, infieren que los encuestados no mantienen un estilo de vida saludable. En el período de la vida universitaria, el estilo de vida está influenciado por cambios de comportamientos asociados a la formación personal, al entorno familiar y al contexto cultural y social en que desarrolla cada individuo. Los bajos niveles de práctica de actividad física y la presencia de hábitos considerados riesgosos en la dimensión nutricional, pueden estar relacionados con los estilos de vida, y propiciar el desarrollo de enfermedades no transmisibles que conllevan a incrementar la morbilidad y mortalidad en las etapas del curso de la vida del ser humano.  Abstract. Lifestyles are everyday behaviors that show an individual's way of life and are usually maintained over time. The university stage is an important period to establish healthy habits for the rest of life. The objective of the study was to determine the lifestyles of university students and the differences according to sex and socioeconomic status. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 508 university students to whom a self-administered survey was applied on their sociodemographic conditions, while their lifestyles were evaluated using the PEVP-II questionnaire. It was observed that only 24.02% of the sample frequently controlled the levels of sugars and fats, 21.85%, in their diet; more than 20% do not perform physical activity, between 20 and 30% do not regulate sugars or include fruits and vegetables in their diets; the averages lower than 60% in the associated factors contemplated in the study, infer that the respondents do not maintain a healthy lifestyle. Finally, it is concluded that low levels of physical activity practice and the presence of habits considered risky in the nutritional dimension, may be related to lifestyles, making this identification in the university environment can help decision-making for design of intervention strategies supported in the well-being of students.


2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea R. Singleton ◽  
William Opoku-Agyeman ◽  
Ermanno Affuso ◽  
Monica L. Baskin ◽  
Emily B. Levitan ◽  
...  

Purpose: To examine cash value voucher (CVV) redemption behavior and its association with fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption among women who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Jefferson County, Alabama. Participants: Between October 2014 and January 2015, 300 women (mean age: 27.6 years; 66.8% non-Hispanic black; 45.1% obese) who participated in the Birmingham WIC program were surveyed. Measures: Self-reported information on demographics, produce shopping behaviors, and residential access to fresh produce retailers (eg, supermarkets and farmers markets) was examined. Fruit and vegetable intake was collected via the Block Fruit–Vegetable–Fiber screener. Participants who self-reported redeeming the WIC CVV in each of the 3 prior months were classified as regular redeemers. Analysis: Multivariable-adjusted regression models were used to examine associations between variables of interest and regular WIC CVV redemption. Results: There were 189 (63.0%) study participants classified as regular WIC CVV redeemers. Regular redeemers and other participants (ie, irregular redeemers and nonredeemers) were similar with respect to demographics. Regular redeemers were more likely to use grocery stores to purchase FVs ( P = .003) and consumed significantly more servings of FVs per day (β = .67; standard error = 0.24; P = .007). Conclusion: Regular WIC CVV redemption was associated with some produce shopping behaviors and increased FV consumption and among WIC participants in Jefferson County, Alabama.


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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Octaviano de Souza ◽  
Flavio Ricardo Guilherme ◽  
Rui Gonçalves Marques Elias ◽  
Lucas Lopes dos Reis ◽  
Otavio Augusto Garbin de Souza ◽  
...  

Risk behaviors and signs of burnout are associated with substantial health losses and university dropouts. Physical activity can be an effective approach to reduce these factors. The objective of this study was to analyze aspects related to health behaviors, physical activity, and signs of burnout in university students and their association with physical activity. The probabilistic cluster sample consisted of 3,578 regularly enrolled undergraduate students from UFPR in Curitiba, based on a population sample of 24,032 university students. The students completed the MBI-SS and NCHA II instruments. Descriptive statistics were used to identify demographic indicators and characteristics of the university environment. For the proportion of subjects with respective confidence intervals (CI = 95%), contingency tables involving the chi-square test (χ2) were used. The prevalence of signs of burnout was estimated in punctual proportions accompanied by the respective confidence intervals (CI = 95%). To analyze the associations between the independent variables and signs of burnout, the Hierarchical Logistic Regression was used through an analysis adjusted by the other independent variables involved in the models (CI = 95%). Results showed that the prevalence of individuals who showed signs of burnout was 40.4%. The hierarchical multiple regression model pointed to: female sex (OR = 1.30; 1.11–1.51); age between 20–24 years (OR = 1.51; 1.25–1.83); and 25–29 years (OR = 1.69; 1.27–2.24); being single (OR = 2.67; 1.01–7.10); presenting regular/poor health perception (OR = 1.59; 1.13–2.22), belonging to Human Sciences courses (OR = 1.37; 1.14–1.64); attending 2nd or 3rd year (OR = 1.34; 1.12–1.61); poor academic performance (OR = 5.35; 4.11–6.96); mean (OR = 2.08; 1.78–2.43). We conclude that academics showed a high prevalence of health risk behaviors and correlate and diagnose emotional problems and signs of burnout. Signs of burnout were significantly associated with the practice of physical activity in its three dimensions; however, in the adjusted analysis for demographic indicators, the characteristics of the university environment, and health behaviors, physical activity was not significant for the model.


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 966 ◽  
Author(s):  
Félix Zurita-Ortega ◽  
Silvia San Román-Mata ◽  
Ramón Chacón-Cuberos ◽  
Manuel Castro-Sánchez ◽  
José Muros

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and to examine the relationship between MD adherence, physical activity, self-concept, and other sociodemographic factors; (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study (N = 597; 18.99 ± 0.64 years) was conducted in a sample of university students from Ceuta, Melilla, and Granada (Spain). Religious beliefs and place of residence were directly reported, while physical activity and adherence to the MD were self-reported using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) respectively. Self-concept was evaluated using the Five-Factor Self-Concept Scale; (3) Results: Of those students reporting high levels of habitual physical activity, 82.3% also reported high adherence to the MD, with 17.7% reporting a medium adherence. Of students reporting no physical activity, 25.7% also reported medium adherence to the MD. No significant associations were found between the MD and religious beliefs. It was observed that the university campus was associated with the level of adherence to the MD (p = 0.030), with adherence being lowest in Ceuta and Melilla. Finally, the MD was associated with academic (p = 0.001) and physical self-concept (p = 0.005); 4) Conclusions: The MD should be promoted to university students, particularly those studying at Ceuta and Melilla, given the present findings of lower MD adherence. In addition, as higher MD adherence was also highlighted with more positive self-concept, its promotion would be beneficial in wider educational contexts.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 50
Author(s):  
Fernanda Carneiro Mussi ◽  
Caren Lorena Menezes Freitas ◽  
Tássia Teles Santana de Macêdo ◽  
Eliane Barbosa de Souza ◽  
Alana De Souza Reis Carneiro

Background and objective: Food choice is a complex process that involves sensory and non-sensory characteristics, therefore, sociocultural, and psychological factors. The purpose of this study was to describe the reasons for food choices of nursing university students.Methods: Cross-sectional study with 286 university students of the nursing course at a public university in Salvador/BA. Data were obtained by applying sociodemographic and academic life characterization instruments. The reasons for food choices were evaluated by the Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ). The data were analyzed in percentages and the reasons for food choices by calculating the unweighted mean of each factor.Results: There was a predominance of females (90.2%), unmarried with partners (90.9%), black race/color (87.8%). and the mean age was 23.4 years old (sd = 4.4). The majority of the students had semester load between 401 and 500 hours (58.8%) and attended university in two or more shifts (80.4%). Among the nine dimensions of the instrument, Sensory Appeal (x̄ = 3.35), Price (x̄ = 3.27) and Health (x̄ = 3.18) were the three most important for food choice. The familiarity and ethical concern factors were the least considered. Considering the FCQ items, the students chose the foods first because they were tasty (x̄ = 3.52), healthy (x̄ = 3.47) and of good price (x̄ = 3.40).Conclusions: For the students, the sensory appeal was the main reason for choosing food, being more relevant than price and health. Thus, there is need to consider the supply of healthy, attractive, and affordable foods in the university environment.


2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Miranda TASSITANO ◽  
Clarice Maria de Lucena MARTINS ◽  
Poliana Coelho CABRAL ◽  
Jorge MOTA ◽  
Maria Cecíla Marinho TENÓRIO ◽  
...  

Objective: To analyze whether psychosocial factors and physical activity are predictors of fruit and vegetable intake in young adults attending college. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a representative sample of students from a public university in the Brazilian Northeast (n=717). Fruit and vegetable intake was measured by a Food Frequency Questionnaire containing 21 items. The psychosocial factors for behavior change, measured by a questionnaire, were: behavior change strategy, self-efficacy, perceived barriers and facilitators in decision making, and social support. The level of physical activity was measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression was the intake prediction model using a significance level of 5% (p<0.05). Results: The median fruit and vegetable intake was 2.0 servings/day. In adjusted analysis, behavior change strategy (R²=0.31), self-efficacy (R²=0.03), friends' support (R²=0.02), and physical activity (R²=0.03) explained 39% of the fruit and vegetable intake variance in men. Behavior change strategy (R²=0.03), self-efficacy (R²=0.13), perceived barriers (R²=0.08), and physical activity (R²=0.02) explained 26% of the fruit and vegetable intake variance in women. Fruit and vegetable intake would increase by one serving for every extra 35 and 47 minutes of physical activity men and women, respectively, practice a day. Conclusion: The main predictors of fruit and vegetable intake are behavior change strategies, self-efficacy, and physical activity.


2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Millichamp ◽  
Danielle Gallegos

AbstractObjectiveTo explore whether area-level socio-economic position or the form of retail stream (conventionalv. farmers’ market) is associated with differences in the price, availability, variety and quality of a range of fresh fruit and vegetables.DesignA multi-site cross-sectional pilot study of farmers’ markets, supermarkets and independent fruit and vegetable retailers. Each was surveyed to assess the price, availability, variety and quality of fifteen fruit and eighteen vegetable items.SettingRetail outlets were located in south-east Queensland.SubjectsFifteen retail outlets were surveyed (five of each retail stream).ResultsAverage basket prices were not significantly different across the socio-economic spectrum, but prices in low socio-economic areas were cheapest. Availability, variety and quality did not differ significantly across levels of socio-economic position; however, the areas with the most socio-economic disadvantage scored poorest for quality and variety. Supermarkets had significantly better fruit and vegetable availability than farmers’ markets, although price, variety and quality scores were not different across retail streams. Results demonstrate a trend to fruit and vegetable prices being more expensive at farmers’ markets, with the price of the fruit basket being significantly greater at the organic farmers’ market compared with the non-organic farmers’ markets.ConclusionsNeither area-level socio-economic position nor the form of retail stream was significantly associated with differences in the availability, price, variety and quality of fruit and vegetables, except for availability which was higher in supermarkets than farmers’ markets. Further research is needed to determine what role farmers’ markets can play in affecting fruit and vegetable intake.


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