scholarly journals Socio-economic differences in fruit and vegetable consumption among Australian adolescents and adults

2002 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 663-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrina Giskes ◽  
Gavin Turrell ◽  
Carla Patterson ◽  
Beth Newman

AbstractObjectives:To determine whether socio-economic groups differ in their fruit and vegetable consumption, and the variety eaten, and whether socio-economic differences are similar for adolescents and adults. The study also examined whether socio-economic groups vary in their reported desire to increase the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed, and the perceived barriers to achieving this.Design, setting and subjects: The 1995 Australian National Nutrition Survey collected fruit and vegetable intake data from adolescents aged 13–17 years (n = 654) and adults 18–64 years (n = 7695) using a 24-hour dietary recall. Gross annual household income was used to measure socio-economic position.Results:Approximately 44% of males and 34% of females did not consume fruit in the 24 hours preceding the survey, and 20% of males and 17% of females did not consume vegetables. Among adolescents and adults, fruit and vegetable consumption was positively related to income. The only exception was vegetable consumption among adolescent males, which did not vary by income Lower-income adults consumed a smaller variety of fruits and vegetables than their higher-income counterparts. Fruit and vegetable variety did not vary by income among adolescents. Lower-income adults expressed less desire to increase their fruit and vegetable consumption, and were more likely to report that price and storage were barriers to doing so. Socio-economic differences in consumption and variety were more apparent for adults than for adolescents.Conclusions:In addition to increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables among the general population, nutrition interventions, programmes and policy aiming to improve diet should target adolescents and adults from low socio-economic groups. Strategies should address price and storage barriers.

Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessie L Parker ◽  
Liwei Chen ◽  
Diane C Mitchell ◽  
Hsin-Chieh Yeh ◽  
Cheryl Anderson ◽  
...  

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.


1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M. Krebs-Smith ◽  
Jerianne Heimendinger ◽  
Blossom H. Patterson ◽  
Amy F. Subar ◽  
Ronald Kessler ◽  
...  

Purpose. This study examined the relationship between various psychosocial factors and fruit and vegetable consumption. Design. The 5 A Day Baseline Survey, conducted in August 1991, just before the initiation of the 5 A Day for Better Health Program, obtained data on adults' intakes of, and their knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes regarding, fruits and vegetables. Setting. The survey was conducted by telephone. Subjects. Subjects were 2811 adults (response rate, 43%) aged 18 years and older in the 48 coterminous United States. Measures. Fruit and vegetable intake was measured as self-reported frequency of use; most of the psychosocial variables were measured using Likert scales. Results. This study estimates that only 8% of American adults thought that five or more servings of fruits and vegetables were needed for good health. Of the factors studied, the most important in determining someone's fruit and vegetable intake were the number of servings they thought they should have in a day, whether they liked the taste, and whether they had been in the habit of eating many fruits and vegetables since childhood. These few factors accounted for 15% more of the variation in fruit and vegetable consumption than did demographic variables alone (8%). Conclusions. Nutrition education should stress the need to eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day because few adults are aware of this recommendation and such knowledge is strongly associated with increased intake. Furthermore, efforts to increase the palatability of fruits and vegetables, especially among children, should be promoted.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lapuente ◽  
Estruch ◽  
Shahbaz ◽  
Casas

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are considered to be the leading cause of death worldwide. Inadequate fruit and vegetable intake have been recognized as a risk factor for almost all NCDs (type 2 diabetes mellitus, cancer, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases). The main aim of this review is to examine the possible protective effect that fruit and vegetable consumption or their bioactive compounds may have on the development of NCDs such as atherosclerosis. The accumulated evidence on the protective effects of adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables in some cases, or the lack of evidence in others, are summarized in the present review. The main conclusion of this review is that well-designed, large-scale, long-term studies are needed to truly understand the role fruit and vegetable consumption or their bioactive compounds have in atherosclerosis.


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.


Hypertension ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 288-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lea Borgi ◽  
Isao Muraki ◽  
Ambika Satija ◽  
Walter C. Willett ◽  
Eric B. Rimm ◽  
...  

Increased fruit and vegetable intake lowers blood pressure in short-term interventional studies. However, data on the association of long-term intake of fruits and vegetables with hypertension risk are scarce. We prospectively examined the independent association of whole fruit (excluding juices) and vegetable intake, as well as the change in consumption of whole fruits and vegetables, with incident hypertension in 3 large longitudinal cohort studies: Nurses’ Health Study (n=62 175), Nurses’ Health Study II (n=88 475), and Health Professionals Follow-up Study (n=36 803). We calculated hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for fruit and vegetable consumption while controlling for hypertension risk factors. Compared with participants whose consumption was ≤4 servings/week, the pooled hazard ratios among those whose intake was ≥4 servings/day were 0.92(0.87–0.97) for total whole fruit intake and 0.95(0.86–1.04) for total vegetable intake. Similarly, compared with participants who did not increase their fruit or vegetable consumption, the pooled hazard ratios for those whose intake increased by ≥7 servings/week were 0.94(0.90–0.97) for total whole fruit intake and 0.98(0.94–1.01) for total vegetable. Analyses of individual fruits and vegetables yielded different results. Consumption levels of ≥4 servings/week (as opposed to <1 serving/month) of broccoli, carrots, tofu or soybeans, raisins, and apples was associated with lower hypertension risk. In conclusion, our results suggest that greater long-term intake and increased consumption of whole fruits may reduce the risk of developing hypertension.


2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 366-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas J. Ollberding ◽  
Claudio R. Nigg ◽  
Karly S. Geller ◽  
Caroline C. Horwath ◽  
Rob W. Motl ◽  
...  

Purpose. To examine if spatial access to healthy and unhealthy outlets comprising the local food environment was associated with fruit and vegetable consumption. Design. Cross-sectional. Setting. Population-based sample residing in Hawaii. Subjects. Three hundred and eighty-four adults (36% Asian-American, 33% non-Hispanic white, 31% other/mixed race). Measures. A spatial model of the local food environment was constructed using radial buffers extending from participants' place of residence. Fruit and vegetable intake was estimated using the National Cancer Institute Fruit and Vegetable All-Day Screener. Analysis. Mean intakes of fruits and vegetables were compared for spatial access to total, healthy, and unhealthy food outlets at distances of .5 to 3.5 km. Multiple linear regression was used to estimate differences in fruit and vegetable intake for residing further from a food outlet or for residing in an area with a greater number of food outlets. Results. Residing in an area with a greater density of total or healthy food outlets was associated with a higher mean intake of fruits and vegetables (p < .05) at .5 km. No differences in mean intakes were detected for distances beyond .5 km or for regression models. Conclusion. Findings suggest that greater spatial accessibility to food outlets comprising the local food environment in Hawaii may not be meaningfully associated with fruit and vegetable consumption; however, associations were detected for the smallest spatial scale examined, warranting further investigation.


2019 ◽  
pp. 277-285
Author(s):  
Barbara Groele ◽  
Dominika Głąbska ◽  
Krystyna Gutkowska ◽  
Dominika Guzek

Background. The inadequate fruit and vegetable intake is common for adults and children, while for children increasing intake is especially important, as intake during childhood predicts future adulthood intake. Objective. The aim of the study was to assess influence of the socio-demographic characteristics of mothers on their athome support of fruit and vegetable consumption in the national Polish sample. Material and methods. The study was conducted in a national representative sample of Polish mothers of children aged 3-10 (n=1200), who were recruited using a random quota sampling (quotas: age, education, region, size of city). They were interviewed using a Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) method and asked about dietary patterns of their children and their at-home behaviors to support fruit and vegetable consumption, which were afterwards compared in sub-groups stratified for age, educational background, marital status, place of residence, occupational status and total net income in households. Results. For fruits, mothers with lower level of education, from villages/ smaller towns, with no professional job and lower income, more commonly than others, stated, that no support of consumption is needed, as their children eat fruits with no encouragement. For vegetables, either the same situation as for fruits was observed (for mothers with no professional job and lower income), or mothers more commonly than others declared forcing children to consume (for mothers with the lowest level of education). Conclusions. The socio-demographic status of mothers, especially level of education, place of residence, professional job and income, are important factors associated with their at-home support of fruit and vegetable consumption for their children. The groups of mothers with lower level of education, from villages/ smaller towns, with no professional job and lower income were indicated as important target groups to provide them knowledge about the recommended fruit and vegetable intake, as well as recommended parenting style.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Johanna-Katharina Schönbach ◽  
Stefan K Lhachimi

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to dynamically model and quantify expected health effects of four scenarios: (i) a reference scenario with an unchanged fruit and vegetable intake, (ii) the removal of value-added tax (VAT) on fruits and vegetables, (iii) the implementation of a 20 % subsidy on fruits and vegetables and (iv) a guideline scenario with a population-wide fruit and vegetable intake of five portions per day. Design: Baseline fruit and vegetable intake data was derived from the GEDA 2012 study. We used price elasticities for Germany to calculate the change in fruit and vegetable consumption under the zero VAT and the 20 % subsidy scenario. All scenarios were modelled over a 10-year projection period using DYNAMO-HIA. Setting: Germany. Participants: A projected real-life population. Results: Cumulated over the 10-year projection period, an estimated 4450 incident ischaemic heart disease (IHD) cases, 7010 stroke cases and 13 960 deaths would be prevented under the zero VAT scenario. Under the 20 % subsidy scenario, 17 990 incident IHD cases, 27 390 stroke cases and 54 880 deaths would be averted. Although this corresponds to only a fraction of the incidents that would occur under the reference scenario, the averted cases translate to 2 % (for the zero VAT scenario) and 9 % (for the 20 % subsidy scenario) of IHD, stroke and death cases that would be prevented if the whole population consumed the recommended five portions of fruits and vegetables per day. Conclusions: Fiscal policies on fruits and vegetables provide a non-negligible step towards the removal of the health burden induced by low fruit and vegetable intake.


Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Damian O McCall ◽  
Claire P McGartland ◽  
David McCance ◽  
Ian S Young ◽  
Jayne V Woodside

Observational evidence has consistently linked increased fruit and vegetable consumption with reduced cardiovascular morbidity. However, there is little direct trial evidence to support the concept that fruit and vegetable consumption improves vascular function. This study has assessed the dose-dependent effects of a fruit and vegetable intervention on arterial health in subjects with hypertension. Following a common 4 week run-in period during which fruit and vegetable intake was limited to 1 portion/day, participants consumed either 1, 3 or 6 portions daily for the next 8 weeks. Endothelium-dependent and independent arterial vasodilator responses were assessed using venous occlusion plethysmography in the brachial circulation pre- and post-intervention. Compliance was monitored using serial contemporaneous 4-day food records and by measuring concentrations of circulating dietary biomarkers. A total of 118 volunteers completed the 12 week study. Participants in the 1, 3 and 6 portions/day groups reported consuming on average 1.1, 3.2 and 5.6 portions of fruit and vegetables respectively, while serum concentrations of ascorbic acid, lutein and β-cryptoxanthin increased across the groups in a dose-dependent manner. For each 1 portion increase in reported fruit and vegetable consumption, there was a 6.2% improvement in forearm blood flow responses to intra-arterial administration of the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine (p=0.03). There was no association between increased fruit and vegetable consumption and vasodilator responses to sodium nitroprusside, an endothelium-independent vasodilator. This study illustrates that among hypertensive volunteers, increased fruit and vegetable consumption produces significant improvements in an established marker of endothelial function and cardiovascular prognosis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Miller ◽  
Frederick Cudhea ◽  
Gitanjali Singh ◽  
Renata Micha ◽  
Peilin Shi ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Inadequate fruit and vegetable intake contributes to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and the impacts of fruits and vegetables on CVD risk worldwide has not been well established by country, age, and sex. Our objective was to derive comprehensive and accurate estimates of the burdens of CVD attributable to fruit and vegetable consumption using the largest standardized global dietary database currently available. Methods National intakes of fruit and vegetables (including legumes) were estimated using a Bayesian hierarchical model using individual-level intake data from nationally and sub-nationally representative diet surveys and country-level availability data (266 surveys representing 1630,069 individuals from 113 of 187 countries─ 82% of the world's population). The effects of fruits and vegetables on coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke mortality, collectively referred to as CVD mortality, were derived from the most recent meta-analyses of prospective cohorts. Disease specific mortality data were obtained from the Global Burden of Diseases study. A comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate the proportional attributable fraction (PAF) and number of disease-specific deaths. Results In 2010, suboptimal intakes of fruit were estimated to result in 521,395 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 498,254–542,808) CHD deaths (PAF: 7.5%; 7.2–7.8%) and 1255,978 (1187,716–1325,879) stroke deaths (PAF: 21.7%; 20.5–22.9%) globally per year. Suboptimal intakes of vegetables were estimated to result in 809,425 (783,362–836,687) CHD deaths (PAF: 11.6%; 11.3–12.0%) and 210,849 (196,297–226,577) stroke deaths (PAF: 3.6%; 3.4–3.9%). The proportion of CVD deaths from suboptimal fruit and vegetable intake was higher in males and younger adults. Among the 20 most populous countries, China (541,564; 482,709–608,314; PAF: 20.3%) had the largest absolute CVD deaths from suboptimal fruit intake and India (199,364; 176,961–222,688; PAF: 11.6%) from vegetables. Results for the global burden of fruits and vegetables on CVD in 1990 and 2015 will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions Suboptimal fruit and vegetable intake each contribute to significant CVD mortality, demonstrating a pressing need for public health and policy priorities to increase intake. Funding Sources Gates Foundation. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs


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