Evidence that boosters augment the long-term impact of implementation intentions on fruit and vegetable intake

Gardening has been positively associated with fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption based on short-term studies among children, but long-term data among adolescents and young adults are lacking. This investigation sought to elucidate the association between gardening experience and FV intake among college students over a two-year period. Students (N = 593) from eight universities were assessed at the end of their freshman (Y1) and sophomore (Y2) years during the springs of 2016 and 2017, respectively. At each time point, participants completed the NCI FV Screener and questions related to gardening experience and FV-related attitudes and behaviors. Students were then categorized into four groups based on gardening experience: Gardened only during the first or second year (Y1 only and Y2 only gardeners), gardened both years (Y1+Y2 gardeners), and non-gardeners. While both Y1 only and Y1+Y2 gardeners reported significantly higher FV intake relative to non-gardeners at Y1 (2.3 ± 0.9 and 2.6 ± 0.7 versus 1.9 ± 0.6 cup equivalents (CE)/day, respectively; p < 0.01), only Y1+Y2 gardeners differed from non-gardeners at Y2 (2.4 ± 0.6 versus 1.8 ± 0.5 CE/day; p < 0.001). Additionally, Y1+Y2 gardeners reported more frequent engagement of several FV-related behaviors, including shopping at farmers’ markets, eating locally grown foods, and cooking from basic ingredients; and were five times more likely to have gardened during childhood (OR: 5.2, 95%, CI: 3.5–8.8; p < 0.001). Findings suggest that while isolated gardening experiences during college are associated with FV intake, reoccurring experience may be essential for sustained benefit.

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Improving fruit and vegetable intake attenuates the genetic association with long-term weight gain

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.1093/ajcn/nqz136 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 110 (3) ◽

pp. 759-768 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Tiange Wang ◽

Yoriko Heianza ◽

Dianjianyi Sun ◽

Yan Zheng ◽

Tao Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Genetic Susceptibility ◽

Genetic Risk ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Genetic Risk Score ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽

Fruit And Vegetable

ABSTRACT Background Whether changes in fruit and vegetable intake can modify the effect of genetic susceptibility to obesity on long-term changes in BMI and body weight are uncertain. Objective We analyzed the interactions of changes in total and specific fruit and vegetable intake with genetic susceptibility to obesity in relation to changes in BMI and body weight. Methods We calculated a genetic risk score on the basis of 77 BMI-associated loci to determine the genetic susceptibility to obesity, and examined the interactions of changes in total and specific fruit and vegetable intake with the genetic risk score on changes in BMI and body weight within five 4-y intervals over 20 y of follow-up in 8943 women from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and 5308 men from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS). Results In the combined cohorts, repeated 4-y BMI change per 10-risk allele increment was 0.09 kg/m2 among participants with the greatest decrease in total fruit and vegetable intake and −0.02 among those with the greatest increase in intake (P-interaction <0.001; corresponding weight change: 0.20 kg compared with −0.06 kg). The magnitude of decrease in BMI associated with increasing fruit and vegetable intake was more prominent among participants with high genetic risk than those with low risk. Reproducible interactions were observed for fruits and vegetables separately (both P-interaction <0.001). Based on similar nutritional content, the interaction effect was greatest for berries, citrus fruits, and green leafy vegetables, and the interaction pattern persisted regardless of the different fiber content or glycemic load of fruits and vegetables. Conclusions Genetically associated increased BMI and body weight could be mitigated by increasing fruit and vegetable intake, and the beneficial effect of improving fruit and vegetable intake on weight management was more pronounced in individuals with greater genetic susceptibility to obesity.

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Plasma β-Carotene Is Not a Suitable Biomarker of Fruit and Vegetable Intake in German Subjects with a Long-Term High Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables

Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1159/000262295 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 56 (1) ◽

pp. 23-30 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

A.L. Garcia ◽

R. Mohan ◽

C. Koebnick ◽

A. Bub ◽

T. Heuer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

High Consumption ◽

Β Carotene

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Fruit and Vegetable Intake In Canadian Ethnic Populations

Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research ◽

10.3148/71.1.2010.11 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 71 (1) ◽

pp. 11-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Tanvir Quadir ◽

Noori Akhtar-Danesh

Keyword(s):

Ethnic Groups ◽

Aboriginal People ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Vegetable Consumption ◽

Canadian Community Health Survey ◽

Fruit And Vegetables ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽

Racial Groups ◽

Fruit And Vegetable

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.

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