scholarly journals Residential area deprivation predicts fruit and vegetable consumption independently of individual educational level and occupational social class: a cross sectional population study in the Norfolk cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC-Norfolk)

2004 ◽  
Vol 58 (8) ◽  
pp. 686-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Shohaimi
2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phyo K Myint ◽  
Ailsa A Welch ◽  
Sheila A Bingham ◽  
Paul G Surtees ◽  
Nicholas WJ Wainwright ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and self-reported physical and mental functional health measured by an anglicised short-form 36-item questionnaire (UK SF-36).DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional study.SettingGeneral community in Norfolk, UK.SubjectsA total of 16 792 men and women aged 40–79 years recruited from general practice population registers as part of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)–Norfolk study, who completed food-frequency questionnaires in 1993–1997 and Health and Life Experiences Questionnaires 18 months later, were enrolled in the study.ResultsMean SF-36 physical component summary scores increased significantly with increasing total fruit and vegetable consumption in both men and women (P <  0.0001 for trend). Men and women in the top quartile of consumption compared with the bottom quartile had a significantly higher likelihood of reporting good physical health (defined as a score ≥ 55); odds ratio (OR) 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–1.53 for men and OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.11–1.48 for women, after controlling for age, body mass index, smoking, education, social class, prevalent illness and total energy intake. Exclusion of current smokers and people with prevalent illness did not alter the associations.ConclusionHigher fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with better self-reported physical functional health within a general population. Increasing daily intake by two portions of fruit and vegetables was associated with an 11% higher likelihood of good functional health. Since the current average consumption of fruit and vegetables in the UK is about three portions, the recommended ‘five a day’ strategy may have additional benefit for functional as well as other health outcomes in the population.


2020 ◽  
pp. 155982762090937
Author(s):  
Craig M. Becker ◽  
Kerry Sewell ◽  
Hui Bian ◽  
Joseph G. L. Lee

Purpose. To broadly assess changes in key health behaviors (physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, smoking, and alcohol consumption) and one outcome (body mass index) between 2001-2006 and 2011-2016. Design. Repeated cross-sectional study. Setting. The United States of America. Participants. Noninstitutionalized adults age 24 to 39 participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Analysis. We used 2-sample t tests and χ2 tests to compare differences in health behaviors between the 2 time periods. Results. Data revealed a downward trend in both moderate and vigorous physical activity (P = .00), and fruit and vegetable consumption decreased (P = .003). Cigarette smoking decreased (P = .04), and there was no substantive change in heavy drinking between the 2 time periods. Body mass index was higher in the later time period (P = .00). Conclusion. Despite sustained funding efforts, we found little evidence that health behaviors improved between the 2 time periods. Indeed, many health behaviors have remained the same or worsened over time. These findings suggest the need to reflect on the appropriateness of the health promotion approaches being used.


2011 ◽  
Vol 108 (3) ◽  
pp. 552-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Young Park ◽  
Genevieve Nicolas ◽  
Heinz Freisling ◽  
Carine Biessy ◽  
Augustin Scalbert ◽  
...  

Folate plays an important role in the synthesis and methylation of DNA as a cofactor in one-carbon metabolism. Inadequate folate intake has been linked to adverse health events. However, comparable information on dietary folate intake across European countries has never been reported. The objective of the present study was to describe the dietary folate intake and its food sources in ten countries in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 36 034 participants (aged 35–74 years) who completed a single 24 h dietary recall using a computerised interview software program, EPIC-Soft® (International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon). Dietary folate intake was estimated using the standardised EPIC Nutrient DataBase, adjusted for age, energy intake, weight and height and weighted by season and day of recall. Adjusted mean dietary folate intake in most centres ranged from 250 to 350 μg/d in men and 200 to 300 μg/d in women. Folate intake tended to be lower among current smokers and heavier alcohol drinkers and to increase with educational level, especially in women. Supplement users (any types) were likely to report higher dietary folate intake in most centres. Vegetables, cereals and fruits, nuts and seeds were the main contributors to folate intake. Nonetheless, the type and pattern of consumption of these main food items varied across the centres. These first comparisons of standardised dietary folate intakes across different European populations show moderate regional differences (except the UK health conscious group), and variation by sex, educational level, smoking and alcohol-drinking status, and supplement use.


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