scholarly journals Frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption and coronary heart disease in France and Northern Ireland: the PRIME study

2004 ◽  
Vol 92 (6) ◽  
pp. 963-972 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luc Dauchet ◽  
Jean Ferrières ◽  
Dominique Arveiler ◽  
John W. Yarnell ◽  
Fred Gey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Citrus Fruit ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Fruit Consumption ◽  
Chd Risk ◽  
Coronary Events ◽  
The Relationship

Fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with low CHD risk in the USA and Northern Europe. There is, in contrast, little information about these associations in other regions of Europe. The goal of the present study was to assess the relationship between frequency of fruit and vegetable intake and CHD risk in two European populations with contrasting cardiovascular incidence rates; France and Northern Ireland. The present prospective study was in men aged 50–59 years, free of CHD, who were recruited in France (n 5982) and Northern Ireland (n 2105). Fruit and vegetable intake was assessed by a food-frequency questionnaire. Incident cases of acute coronary events and angina were recorded over a 5-year follow-up. During follow-up there was a total of 249 ischaemic events. After adjustment on education level, smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption, employment status, BMI, blood pressure, serum total and HDL-cholesterol, the relative risks (RR) of acute coronary events were 0·67 (95% CI 0·44, 1·03) and 0·64 (95% CI 0·41, 0·99) in the 2nd and 3rd tertiles of citrus fruit consumption, respectively (P for trend <0·03). Similar results were observed in France and Northern Ireland. In contrast, the RR of acute coronary events for ‘other fruit’ consumption were 0·70 (95% CI 0·31, 1·56) and 0·52 (95% CI 0·24, 1·14) respectively in Northern Ireland (trend P<0·05) and 1·29 (95% CI 0·69, 2·4) and 1·15 (95% CI 0·68, 1·94) in France (trend P=0·5; interaction P<0·04). There was no evidence for any association between vegetable intake and total CHD events. In conclusion, frequency of citrus fruit, but not other fruits, intake is associated with lower rates of acute coronary events in both France and Northern Ireland, suggesting that geographical or related factors might affect the relationship between fruit consumption and CHD risk.

Abstract P070: The Relationship Between Weight and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption, Assessed by Serum Carotenoids and Self-Report: Results from the PREMIER Trial

Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessie L Parker ◽  
Liwei Chen ◽  
Diane C Mitchell ◽  
Hsin-Chieh Yeh ◽  
Cheryl Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Average Intake ◽  
Serum Carotenoids ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Increased intake of fruits and vegetables (F/V) may protect against adiposity, but effects on weight have been inconsistent. Our objective was to examine the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and weight, using direct and indirect measures of dietary intake: self-reported 24-hour recall and serum carotenoid levels. Methods: Participants from the PREMIER lifestyle intervention trial were included in this analysis (n=554). Dietary measures included 24-hour dietary recalls and serum carotenoid levels, from a fasting blood sample. The outcome was weight in pounds. Nested linear mixed models were used to examine the association between F/V and weight. Results: Mean F/V increased from 4.6 (SD 2.4) to 5.6 (SD 3.2) (p=<.01), mean serum carotenoids increased from 53.2 (SD 31.9) to 68.1 (SD 42.5) (p=<.01). At 18 months, participants in the lowest quintile of fruit and vegetable change reported an average intake of 4.42.8 servings of fruits and vegetables, and those in the highest quintile of change reported an average intake of 7.73.2 servings. In a multivariate model adjusting for age, race, gender, intervention, energy, study site, and time, lower body weight was associated with higher F/V intake measured by dietary recall (−0.63 lbs, 95% CI −0.83 to −0.42, per 1 serving increase in F/V) and serum carotenoids (−0.13 lbs, 95% CI −0.15 to −0.11, per 1 ug/dl increase in carotenoids). Results were somewhat attenuated but consistent after additional adjustments for working heart rate, exercise, calories from sugar-sweetened beverages, marital and employment status, and alcohol use . Conclusions: Greater fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with decreased body weight. Results were consistent for both objective and self-reported measures of fruit and vegetable intake.

scholarly journals Demographic, familial and trait predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption by pre-school children

2004 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
L J Cooke ◽  
J Wardle ◽  
EL Gibson ◽  
M Sapochnik ◽  
A Sheiham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Feeding ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Fruit Consumption ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Neophobia ◽  
Early Introduction

AbstractObjective:To examine the contribution to fruit and vegetable eating in children of potential predictive variables within the domains of demographics, parental feeding practices and personality traits.Design:Cross-sectional survey.Setting:Questionnaires were distributed to parents through 22 London nursery schools.Subjects:Questionnaires were completed and returned by 564 parents or principal caregivers of 2–6-year-old children.Results:Significant predictors of children's fruit and vegetable intake emerged from all three domains examined. Demographic variables associated with child's vegetable consumption were mother's education and child's age and gender. Only ethnicity was significantly associated with fruit consumption. Parental consumption, breast-feeding and early introduction to fruit and vegetables were related to intake of both. Family mealtimes were associated with higher intake of vegetables, but not of fruit. Two characteristics of children themselves (food neophobia and enjoyment of food) were strongly related to the consumption of fruit and vegetables. Subsequent multivariate analyses revealed that parental intake and child food neophobia independently predicted intake of both foods. In the presence of these, fruit consumption was affected by breast-feeding and early introduction to fruit, whereas vegetable consumption was related only to child's gender and enjoyment of food.Conclusions:These findings may be used to inform future interventions aimed at increasing children's consumption of fruit and vegetables. Parents should be made aware of the possible impact of their own behaviour on the eating habits of their children.

Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 4127-4127
Author(s):  
Brenda M Birmann ◽  
Kimberly Bertrand ◽  
Bernard Rosner ◽  
Andres Ardisson Korat
Keyword(s):  
B Cell ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Non Hodgkin Lymphoma ◽  
Etiologic Role

Background: The few established risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) exhibit considerable heterogeneity by NHL subtype and suggest an etiologic role for factors with immune- or inflammation-modulating properties, or which otherwise influence lymphocyte proliferation and survival. Epidemiologic evidence supports a potential inverse association for fruit and vegetable intake and NHL risk, but with limited subtype-specific evidence. Glucosinates and indole-3-carbinol, both found in cruciferous vegetables, may mediate tumor suppressive effects, including anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferation effects or restoration of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a known tumor suppressor frequently down-regulated in cancer cells. We conducted a prospective study to further elucidate the etiologic role of fruit and vegetable consumption for NHL and its most common histologic subtypes. Methods: We followed 47,971 men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS; 1986-2012) and 77,115 women in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS; 1984-2012) with baseline information on diet and no baseline history of cancer. We queried diet every four years using validated food-frequency questionnaires. We calculated fruit and vegetable consumption, in broad categories and for specific food groups, by summing the intake of individual foods excluding fruit juices, potatoes and legumes. Incident NHL diagnoses were first self-reported in study questionnaires then confirmed by review of medical records. We classified histologic subtypes according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Lymphoma Epidemiology (InterLymph) Consortium guidelines. We analyzed all NHL (in aggregate) and separate endpoints of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma, other B-cell NHL and T-cell NHL. We used multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression adjusting for potential confounding variables to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of various fruit and vegetable intake variables with risk of each NHL endpoint. Those intake variables were based on the pre-diagnosis questionnaire returned most recent to NHL diagnosis and modeled as continuous variables in increments of one serving/day. Results: During 2,747,939 person-years of follow-up, we confirmed 1,732 incident NHL cases (986 women, 746 men). In preliminary multivariable-adjusted analyses, no fruit and vegetable intake variable was significantly associated with risk of all NHL (Table 1). Each additional serving/day of all, green leafy, beta carotene rich and lycopene rich vegetables was significantly associated with a 15%-45% lower risk of DLBCL per serving/day but not with other NHL subtypes; cruciferous and lutein rich vegetable intakes had a suggestive but statistically non-significant inverse association with several B-cell NHL subtypes (Table 1). Other associations were only weakly suggestive or null. Conclusions: In this prospective investigation, preliminary findings suggest a modest reduction of risk of several individual B-cell NHL subtypes, including statistically significantly lower risks of DLBCL, with increasing intake of green and antioxidant rich vegetables. These findings warrant further exploration and confirmation in other study populations. We note that this abstract reports preliminary findings; ongoing analyses will extend the follow-up period, add a third large cohort (NHS II) and assess potential reverse causation, explore sex- and subtype-related heterogeneity and test for non-linearity of observed associations. If confirmed, these results will contribute to evidence-based prevention strategies for NHL and further support general health recommendations concerning benefits of fruit and vegetable intake. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Maternal feeding practices and toddlers’ fruit and vegetable consumption: results from the DIT-Coombe Hospital birth cohort in Ireland

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiyao Liu ◽  
Qianling Zhou ◽  
Keara Clarke ◽  
Katherine M. Younger ◽  
Meijing An ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Cohort ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Total Diet ◽  
Maternal Feeding Practices

Abstract Background Health benefits of fruit and vegetable have been well recognized. However, insufficient consumption of fruit and vegetable is prevalent among toddlers, and has become a global public health issue. Maternal feeding practices are potential factors influencing toddlers’ dietary intake, including fruit and vegetable intake. This study was conducted to explore the influence of maternal feeding practices on toddlers’ fruit and vegetable consumption in Ireland. Methods A follow-up to the DIT-Coombe Hospital birth cohort was conducted. Mothers in the original cohort were invited to participate in the present follow-up study by phone. A questionnaire assessing maternal feeding behavior and the child’s 3-day food diary was sent to mothers who agreed to take part in the present study by post, together with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Results There were 193 mother-children pairs included in the analysis, and the mean age of children was 2.4 (SD 0.7) years old. Toddlers’ mean daily intakes of vegetable and fruit were 67.57 (SD 45.95) g and 213.35 (SD 170.78) g, respectively. Logistic regression analyses showed that maternal practice of breastfeeding for more than 4 weeks was positively associated with fruit (OR = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.29–6.64) and vegetable (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.00–3.81) intake or the contribution of fruit (OR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.19–5.80) and vegetable (OR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.02–3.99) to the total diet. Letting the child eat with other family members was associated with high vegetable intake (OR = 5.45, 95%CI: 1.69–17.61) and high contribution of vegetable to total diet (OR = 3.78, 95% CI: 1.04–13.82). Not being too worried about the child’s refusal to eat was positively associated with toddlers’ vegetable intake (OR = 2.10, 95%CI: 1.09–4.05). Conclusions To increase children’s fruit and vegetable intake, and develop good eating habits, parents should eat with their toddlers, be patient and not put much pressure on their children in the context of meal feeding.

scholarly journals Association between Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Depression Symptoms in Young People and Adults Aged 15-45: A Systematic Review of Cohort Studies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Putu Novi Arfirsta Dharmayani ◽  
Melissa Juergens ◽  
Margaret Allman Farinelli ◽  
Seema Mihrshahi
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Young People ◽  
Cohort Studies ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Fruit Consumption

Higher consumption of fruit and vegetables has been associated with a lower risk of various chronic diseases including coronary heart disease, obesity, and certain cancers. Recently, fruit and vegetable intake has also been linked with mental health, including depression. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the association between fruit and vegetable intake and depressive symptoms in young people and adults aged 15-45. The systematic review focused on peer-reviewed cohort studies published from 1 January 2000 to 31 August 2020 using searches of six electronic databases. The exposure was fruit and vegetable consumption analysed both separately and/or together, and the outcome was depression or depressive symptoms. Data from eligible studies were extracted according to predefined criteria and the studies were appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for Cohort Studies to evaluate for study quality and risk of bias. To evaluate the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and depressive symptoms, a narrative synthesis was conducted. Of 9667 potentially relevant studies that were screened for title and abstracts, 144 full text studies were evaluated, and 12 studies from seven countries were deemed eligible and included in the qualitative synthesis. Using the NOS framework one study was categorised as &lsquo;very good&rsquo; quality, ten studies were &lsquo;good&rsquo; quality, and two studies were &lsquo;moderate&rsquo; quality. With respect to combined fruit and vegetable consumption, two studies demonstrated an inverse association with depression. When the effects of fruit and vegetable on depression were analysed separately, five studies showed significant associations in fruit consumption, and two studies showed significant associations in vegetable consumption. Four studies showed no association between combined fruit and vegetable consumption and depression, one study showed no association between fruit consumption and depression, and two studies showed no association between vegetable consumption and depression. Despite some contradictory results in the studies included in this review, the evidence seems to be building that a possible association exists, and this may have implications for addressing the burden of mental illness in young people and adults aged 15-45 years. Well-designed prospective cohort studies are needed to provide more robust evidence on the diet-depression relationship.

scholarly journals Fruit and vegetable intake and risk of CHD: results from prospective cohort studies of Chinese adults in Shanghai

2013 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danxia Yu ◽  
Xianglan Zhang ◽  
Yu-Tang Gao ◽  
Honglan Li ◽  
Gong Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Chinese Women ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Asian Populations ◽  
Chd Risk ◽  
Coronary Events

The protective effects of fruits and vegetables against CHD have been suggested by many epidemiological studies among Western populations. However, prospective data are lacking for Asian populations. In the present study, we examined the associations of fruit and vegetable intake with CHD incidence among 67 211 women (aged 40–70 years) and 55 474 men (aged 40–74 years) living in Shanghai, China. Food intake was assessed using validated FFQ through in-person interviews. Coronary events (non-fatal myocardial infarction or fatal CHD) were identified by biennial home visits and further confirmed by medical record review. During a mean follow-up period of 9·8 and 5·4 years, 148 events in women and 217 events in men were documented and verified. After adjustment for potential confounders, women in the highest quartile of total fruit and vegetable intake (median 814 g/d) had a hazard ratio (HR) of 0·62 (95 % CI 0·38, 1·02) for CHD (Pfor trend = 0·04) compared with those in the lowest quartile (median 274 g/d). This association was primarily driven by fruits (HR for the highestv.the lowest intake in women: 0·62, 95 % CI 0·37, 1·03). The strength of the association was attenuated after further controlling for history of diabetes or hypertension. For men, no significant association was found for fruit and vegetable intake when analysed either in combination or individually. The present findings suggest that a high consumption of fruits may reduce CHD risk in Chinese women.

scholarly journals “I was eating more fruits and veggies than I have in years”: a mixed methods evaluation of a fresh food prescription intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cole Heasley ◽  
Becca Clayton ◽  
Jade Muileboom ◽  
Anna Schwanke ◽  
Sujani Rathnayake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Food Environments ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Mixed Methods Evaluation ◽  
Fresh Food

Abstract Background Food insecurity is associated with poor nutritional health outcomes. Prescribing fresh fruits and vegetables in healthcare settings may be an opportunity to link patients with community supports to promote healthy diets and improve food security. This mixed methods study evaluated the impacts of a fresh food prescription pilot program. Methods The study took place at two Community Health Centre locations in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Sixty food insecure patients with ≥1 cardio-metabolic condition or micronutrient deficiency participated in the intervention. Participants were prescribed 12 weekly vouchers to Community Food Markets. We conducted a one-group pre-post mixed-methods evaluation to assess changes in fruit and vegetable intake, self-reported health, food security, and perceived food environments. Surveys were conducted at baseline and follow-up and semi-structured interviews with participants were conducted following the intervention. Results Food security and fruit and vegetable consumption improved following the intervention. Food security scores increased by 1.6 points, on average (p < 0.001). Consumption of fruits and ‘other’ vegetables (cucumber, celery, cabbage, cauliflower, squashes, and vegetable juice) increased from baseline to follow-up (p < 0.05). No changes in self-reported physical or mental health were observed. Qualitative data suggested that the intervention benefited the availability, accessibility, affordability, acceptability, and accommodation of healthy foods for participating households. Conclusions Fresh food prescription programs may be a useful model for healthcare providers to improve patients’ food environments, healthy food consumption, and food security.

scholarly journals A cluster-randomised controlled trial of a school-based fruit and vegetable intervention: Project Tomato

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1073-1081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte EL Evans ◽  
Joan K Ransley ◽  
Meaghan S Christian ◽  
Darren C Greenwood ◽  
James D Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
School Based

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to determine whether a multi-component school-based intervention can maintain children's fruit and vegetable intake post eligibility for free school fruit and vegetables.DesignA random sample of fifty-four English primary schools was randomised to receive the 10-month intervention Project Tomato, a multi-component theory-based intervention, or the control. Each group consisted of twenty-seven schools.SettingChildren's intake of fruit and vegetables is below recommendations. The English School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme has a short-term impact on intake while children are eligible for the scheme.SubjectsDietary measurements were collected from 658 Year 2 pupils aged 7–8 years at baseline and at follow-up 20 months later.ResultsFollowing an intention to treat analysis, the intervention as delivered compared with the control had no impact on the intake of fruit and vegetables (2 g/d, 95 % CI −23, 26 g/d) or on the number of portions of fruit (0·0 portions, 95 % CI −0·3, 0·3) or vegetables (0·0 portions, 95 % CI −0·2, 0·3) consumed daily by children. Intake of fruit and vegetables at school and home dropped by ∼100 g/d and 50 g/d, respectively, between baseline and follow-up in both the intervention and control groups.ConclusionsImplementation of the intervention was low, with associated lack of impact on fruit and vegetable consumption in children. Alternatives to the delivery of an intervention by teachers and parents are needed to improve the dietary intake of primary-school children.

Abstract 001: Quantity and Variety in Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease

Circulation ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 127 (suppl_12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilpa N Bhupathiraju ◽  
Nicole M Wedick ◽  
An Pan ◽  
JoAnn E Manson ◽  
Kathryn M Rexrode ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Heart Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Fruit Juice ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Markers Of Inflammation ◽  
Chd Risk

Epidemiological data have consistently documented a protective effect of fruit and vegetable intake on risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Consequently, dietary guidelines recommend increasing fruit and vegetable intake and, most recently, have also suggested increasing variety. Our objective was to examine the independent roles of quantity and variety in fruit and vegetable intake in relation to incident CHD. We prospectively observed 71,157 women from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS, 1984-2008) and 39,752 men from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS, 1986-2008) who were free of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer at baseline. We documented 2585 incident CHD cases in women during 24 years of follow-up and 3408 cases in men during 22 years of follow-up. Diet was assessed using a standardized and validated questionnaire and updated every 4 years. Variety was defined as the number of unique fruits and vegetables consumed at least once per week. To account for minor differences in the number of fruit and vegetable items administered at each follow-up cycle, we standardized our variety score to 30 (11 for fruit score and 19 for vegetable score). Potatoes, soy, or other legumes were not included in our analyses. Because the AHA does not consider fruit juice to be equivalent to whole fruit, fruit juice was also not included in our analyses. Quantity (servings/day) and variety in fruit and vegetable intake were correlated (r=0.68, P<0.0001). We, therefore, regressed variety on quantity to assess their independent effects on CHD risk. In multivariable analyses, after adjusting for dietary and non-dietary covariates, those in the highest fifth of fruit and vegetable intake (median intake=7.80 servings/day) had a 13% lower risk (95% CI, 0.79 to 0.95) of CHD compared to those in the lowest fifth (median intake=2.14 servings/day). Conversely, quantity-adjusted variety was not associated with CHD risk (RR for highest fifth compared to lowest fifth=1.04, 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.19). Further, within each category of quantity, higher variety was not associated with CHD risk. Our data suggest that absolute quantity, rather than variety, in fruit and vegetable intake is associated with a significantly lower risk of CHD. Future work should examine the role of variety in reducing biological markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Meanwhile, policy efforts should continue to focus on increasing overall fruit and vegetable intake.

scholarly journals Growing Minds: Evaluating the Relationship between Gardening and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Older Adults

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 711-717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aime J. Sommerfeld ◽  
Amy L. McFarland ◽  
Tina M. Waliczek ◽  
Jayne M. Zajicek
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Fruit Consumption

New dietary guidelines recommend eating more than five servings of fruit and vegetables each day without setting upper limitations. Although older adults tend to report a higher intake of fruit and vegetables than other age groups, over half of the U.S. older population does not meet the recommendation of five daily servings of fruit and vegetables. Research has shown that gardening is one way of improving fruit and vegetable intake. The primary focuses of this study were to examine and compare fruit and vegetable consumption of gardeners and nongardeners and to investigate any differences in fruit and vegetable consumption of long-term gardeners when compared with newer gardeners in adults older than age 50 years. An online survey was designed to be answered by older adults (50 years or older) and respondents self-selected themselves for inclusion in the study. A total of 261 questionnaires was completed. Data collected were analyzed using statistical procedures, including descriptive statistics, Pearson's product-moment correlations, and multivariate analysis of variance. The results of this research supports previous studies that indicated gardeners were more likely to consume vegetables when compared with nongardeners. However, these results were not found with regard to fruit consumption between gardeners and nongardeners. Additionally, the length of time an individual reported having participated in gardening activities seemed to have no relationship to the number of vegetables and fruit reported as consumed, which suggests gardening intervention programs late in life would be an effective method of boosting vegetable and fruit consumption in older adults. Gender was also evaluated with no statistically significant differences found for overall fruit and vegetable intake.

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