Pairing Animal Cartoon Characters With Produce Stimulates Selection Among Child Zoo Visitors

In order to address the pervasive trend of underconsumption of fruits and vegetables among children, we examined the hypothesis that children would be more likely to select fruits (apple slices, bananas, and oranges) and vegetables (baby carrots) when paired with animal cartoon image than when available without the character image. Tested in a randomized experiment using counterbalancing, products were arranged on two tables at two separate family fun nights held at a local zoo. Animal character produce parings were manipulated by placing one of two animals (tamarin or iguana) next to two of the four fruit or vegetable selections at each table, and by changing when available without the image. In total, 755 produce selections were made. Significantly more products paired with a character were selected (62.38%) than the same products, not paired (37.62%), χ2 = 46.32, df = 1, p < .001. The odds ratio of the treatment versus control was 1.66 (i.e., 471/284), indicating that children were 66% more likely to select a snack when paired with an animal cartoon. Study findings highlight the positive impact of animal cartoons on children’s fruit and vegetable snack selections, and results suggest the potential for using animal cartoons to encourage fruit and vegetable selection for children.

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Perspectives of using standards based on management systems for increasing the competitiveness of fruit and vegetable products in the republic of Uzbekistan

International Journal on Integrated Education ◽

10.31149/ijie.v2i4.111 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 48-53

Author(s):

Imomov Jamshidxon Odilovich

Keyword(s):

Network Management ◽

Management System ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Economic Reforms ◽

Management Systems ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Network Management System ◽

Food Markets ◽

Vegetable Products ◽

The Republic

This article examines the role and importance of agriculture in the economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan and demonstrates the need to improve the competitiveness of fruit and vegetable products in future economic reforms and the need for implementing a network management system. The SWOT method also shows the prospects and ways to increase the competitiveness of fruits and vegetables in the global agrarian and food markets.

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Russia in the World Production and Market of Potatoes and Fruit and Vegetable Products

Economy of agricultural and processing enterprises ◽

10.31442/0235-2494-2020-0-9-74-83 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 74-83

Author(s):

Yu.I. Agirbov ◽

◽

R.R. Mukhametzyanov ◽

E.V. Britik ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

World Market ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Global Rating ◽

Vegetable Production ◽

World Production ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Vegetable Products ◽

The World ◽

Qualitative Changes

In 1961-2018 in the world as a whole, the gross harvest of potatoes increased from 290.6 million tons to 368.2 million tons, that is, 1.36 times. Over the same period, the production of vegetables and food melons increased from 197.7 million tons to 1,088.8 million tons (5.51 times), and fruits and berries from 199.9 million tons to 867.8 million tons (4.34 times). In a number of states in 1992-2018 the corresponding increase significantly exceeded the average values for the world as a whole, as a result of which their place in the global ranking increased, and the positions of some traditional producers of potatoes and fruits and vegetables decreased. For example, in terms of gross harvest of potatoes in 1992, Russia was in first place, and Poland was in third, while in 2018 they were in 4th and 9th positions, respectively. In terms of vegetable production, Italy and Japan were displaced from 4th and 5th places, which were taken by Turkey and Nigeria. In terms of gross harvests of fruits and berries, Turkey occupied the fifth position in total world production by 2018, although in 1992 it belonged to Italy. Quantitative and qualitative changes inevitably have a significant impact on both the volume of the world market and the parameters of international trade in potatoes, vegetables and melons, fruits and berries. Processes in foreign economic liberalization and economic integration contributed to an increase in the specialization and concentration of production of relevant plants in countries with more favorable natural and climatic conditions, as well as a gradual increase in demand for potatoes, vegetables and melons, fruits and berries from a number of states, including those that used to meet the needs of their population in large volumes at the expense of their own producers. The Russian Federation is one of the significant players in the world potato and fruit and vegetable market. Despite the increase in gross fruit and vegetable production in recent years, Russia’s positions in the global rating dropped from 7th to 10th place in vegetables and melons, from 20th to 31st place in fruits and berries. As for potatoes, there was a decrease in the volume of its production, as a result, Russia dropped from 1st place in 1992 to 4th place in 2018.

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Healthy eating: a matter of prioritisation by households or policymakers?

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980021000677 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

Joreintje Dingena Mackenbach

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Low Income ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Food System ◽

Vegetable Consumption ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽

Healthy Foods ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Decision Making Processes

Abstract I reflect upon the potential reasons why American low-income households do not spend an optimal proportion of their food budgets on fruits and vegetables, even though this would allow them to meet the recommended levels of fruit and vegetable consumption. Other priorities than health, automatic decision-making processes and access to healthy foods play a role, but solutions for the persistent socio-economic inequalities in diet should be sought in the wider food system which promotes cheap, mass-produced foods. I argue that, ultimately, healthy eating is not a matter of prioritisation by individual households but by policymakers.

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Awareness and outcomes of the fruits and veggies (FNV) campaign to promote fruit and vegetable consumption among targeted audiences in California and Virginia: a cross-sectional study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11055-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tessa R. Englund ◽

Valisa E. Hedrick ◽

Sofía Rincón-Gallardo Patiño ◽

Lauren E. Kennedy ◽

Kathryn W. Hosig ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Behavioral Outcomes ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽

Brand Awareness ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample

Abstract Background In 2015, the Partnership for a Healthier America launched the branded Fruits & Veggies (FNV) Campaign to apply a unique industry-inspired marketing approach to promote fruit and vegetable sales and intake to moms and teens in two US pilot markets: Fresno, California and Hampton Roads, Virginia. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to: 1) assess brand awareness and fruit- and vegetable-related outcomes among FNV Campaign target audiences in the California and Virginia market locations; and 2) examine whether reported awareness of the FNV Campaign was associated with differences in fruit- and vegetable-related cognitive and behavioral outcomes. Methods Data for this cross-sectional study were collected using an online survey administered to a non-probability convenience sample (n = 1604; February–July 2017) of youth aged 14–20 years (n = 744) and moms aged 21–36 years (n = 860) in the two pilot markets. Descriptive statistics were computed and outcomes compared between unaware and aware respondents, controlling for sociodemographic covariates. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was conducted to assess whether fruit- and vegetable-related attitude, belief, and encouragement outcomes differed by FNV Campaign awareness; logistic regression was used to examine associations between FNV brand awareness and dichotomous variables (fruit- and vegetable-related behavioral intentions, trying new fruits and vegetables); and ANCOVA was used to assess associations with daily fruit and vegetable intake frequency. Results Approximately 20% (n = 315/1604) of respondents reported awareness of the FNV Campaign. Youth that reported awareness of the FNV Campaign (n = 167, 22.4%) had higher intentions to buy (p = 0.003) and eat (p = 0.009) fruits and vegetables than unaware respondents. Mothers that reported awareness of the FNV Campaign (n = 148, 17.2%) reported greater encouragement for friends and family to eat fruits and vegetables (p = 0.013) and were approximately 1.5 times more likely to report trying a new fruit or vegetable (p = 0.04) than mothers unaware of the Campaign. Daily fruit and vegetable intake frequency did not differ by Campaign awareness. Conclusions FNV Campaign awareness was associated with limited but positive short- and intermediate-term cognitive and behavioral outcomes among target audience respondents. These findings can inform future research to enhance understanding and improve the FNV Campaign as it is expanded to new markets nationwide.

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Home food environment and associations with weight and diet among U.S. adults: a cross-sectional study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11102-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Michelle C. Kegler ◽

April Hermstad ◽

Regine Haardörfer

Keyword(s):

Food Environment ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

National Sample ◽

Family Meals ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Home Food Environment ◽

Meal Preparation ◽

Home Food

Abstract Background The home provides the physical and social context for the majority of eating behaviors for U.S. adults. This study describes eleven dimensions of the home food environment among a national sample of U.S. adults and identifies which are associated with diet quality and overweight/obesity. Methods A national sample of U.S. adults ages 18 to 75 was recruited from an online survey panel. Respondents (n = 4942) reported on foods available in the home, including 1) fruit and vegetables, 2) salty snacks/sweets, 3) less healthy beverages, as well as 4) food placement, 5) shopping practices for fruits and vegetables, 6) food preparation, 7) portion control methods, 8) family meals from restaurants, 9) family household practices around TV and eating, 10) presence of a TV in the dining area, and 11) ownership of a scale. Self-reported height and weight, fruit and vegetable intake, and percent calories from fat were also assessed. Results Mean household size was 2.6, 32.7% had children in the home, and 23.1% lived alone. The majority were White (67.7%), with 12.3% Black and 14.3% Hispanic. Mean age was 44.4 and 48.3% were men. In multivariable models, seven features of the home food environment were associated with meeting the recommended fruit and vegetable intake guidelines, with food placement, meal preparation, frequency of shopping for fruit, and a greater variety of fruits and vegetables available in the home most strongly associated. Eight of 11 features were associated with percent energy from fat, including restaurant food for family meals, salty snacks and sweets availability, less healthy beverages availability, food placement, meal preparation, frequency of shopping for fruit, family eating with the TV on, and having a TV in the dining area. More diverse fruit and vegetable availability was associated with lower odds of overweight/obesity, and more frequent family eating while watching TV was associated with increased odds of overweight/obesity. Conclusion Targeting these dimensions of the home food environment may be a promising approach for future intervention research.

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Abstract P395: Color of Fruits, Vegetables and Blood Pressure: The INTERMAP Study

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.127.suppl_12.ap395 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 127 (suppl_12) ◽

Author(s):

Linda M Oude Griep ◽

Jeremiah Stamler ◽

Queenie Chan ◽

Linda van Horn ◽

Lyn M Steffen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

United Kingdom ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽

Regression Coefficients ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Orange Yellow ◽

Urinary Potassium ◽

History Of

Background: The color of the edible portion of fruits and vegetables, reflecting the presence of pigmented phytochemicals, may be used as an indicator of their nutrient profile. Previous cohort and intervention studies have documented beneficial associations of fruits and vegetables with blood pressure (BP). However, whether the color of fruits and vegetables is associated with BP is unknown. Methods: We used cross-sectional data from the International Study of Macro-/Micronutrients and Blood Pressure (INTERMAP) on 4,680 men and women ages 40-59 years from Japan, China, United Kingdom, and United States. During four visits, eight BP measurements and four 24-hr dietary recalls were completed. Fruits and vegetables were categorized in 4 color groups: green, orange/yellow, red/purple, and white. BP regression coefficients per 2SD higher intake were estimated using multivariable linear regression models. To estimate overall associations, country-specific regression coefficients were pooled, weighted by inverse of their variance. Adjustments were for age, gender, sample, intake of total energy and alcohol, 24-hr urinary sodium excretion, smoking, education, dietary supplement use, adherence to any special diet, history of cardiovascular diseases or diabetes, family history of hypertension, use of medication (antihypertensive, cardiovascular or for diabetes), body mass index, and intake of low-fat dairy, fibre-rich grain products, red and processed meats, fish and shellfish, and mutually for other fruit and vegetable color groups. Results: Average daily fruit plus vegetable intakes (g/1000 kcal) was 183 in the total population, varying from 129 in the United Kingdom to 222 in China. White fruits and vegetables contributed 32% of total fruit and vegetable intake, orange/yellow 27%, green 26%, and red/purple 15%. Fruit and vegetable color groups were weakly related to each other, partial r values ranged from 0.08 for green with red/purple to 0.15 for white with orange/yellow. Fruit and vegetable color groups were highly correlated with dietary and urinary potassium; highest correlation coefficients were for white fruits and vegetables (r=0.46 for dietary and r=0.26 for urinary potassium). Green fruits and vegetables were also highly related to beta-carotene (r=0.40) and dietary fiber (r=0.40), orange fruits and vegetables to vitamin C (r=0.59), and white fruits and vegetables to dietary fibre (r=0.49). Green fruit and vegetable intake higher by 90 g/1000 kcal was associated with a systolic BP difference of -1.19 mm Hg (P<0.05). Green fruits and vegetables comprised mainly green vegetables including: cabbages (52%), lettuces (21%), dark leafy (10%), and a heterogeneous group (17%). Other fruit and vegetable color groups and total fruits plus vegetables were not associated with BP. Conclusion: Higher intake of green fruits and vegetables may contribute to lower systolic BP.

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Patterns of fruit and vegetable availability and price competitiveness across four seasons are different in local food outlets and supermarkets

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980015000981 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 18 (15) ◽

pp. 2846-2854 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Natalie Valpiani ◽

Parke Wilde ◽

Beatrice Rogers ◽

Hayden Stewart

Keyword(s):

North Carolina ◽

Statistical Power ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Farmers Markets ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Price Competitiveness ◽

Retail Outlets ◽

Eastern North Carolina

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the effect of seasonality on fruit and vegetable availability and prices across three outlet types (farmers’ markets, roadside stands and conventional supermarkets).DesignCross-sectional survey of geographically clustered supermarkets, farmers’ markets and roadside stands. Enumerators recorded the availability and lowest price for eleven fruits and eighteen vegetables in each season of 2011.SettingPrice data were collected at retail outlets located in central and eastern North Carolina.SubjectsThe sample consisted of thirty-three supermarkets, thirty-four farmers’ markets and twenty-three roadside stands.ResultsOutside the local harvest season, the availability of many fruits and vegetables was substantially lower at farmers’ markets and roadside stands compared with supermarkets. Given sufficient availability, some items were significantly cheaper (P<0·05) at direct retail outlets in the peak season (e.g. cantaloupe cost 36·0 % less at roadside stands than supermarkets), while others were significantly more expensive (e.g. carrots cost 137·9 % more at farmers’ markets than supermarkets). Although small samples limited statistical power in many non-peak comparisons, these results also showed some differences by item: two-thirds of fruits were cheaper at one or both direct outlets in the spring and autumn, whereas five of eighteen vegetables cost more at direct retail year-round.ConclusionsCommonly consumed fruits and vegetables were more widely available at supermarkets in central and eastern North Carolina than at direct retail outlets, in each season. Contingent on item availability, price competitiveness of the direct retail outlets varied by fruit and vegetable. For many items, the outlets compete on price in more than one season.

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Perbedaan konsumsi buah dan sayur pada anak sekolah dasar yang obes dan tidak obes di Kota Yogyakarta dan Kabupaten Bantul

Jurnal Gizi dan Dietetik Indonesia (Indonesian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics) ◽

10.21927/ijnd.2013.1(2).81-92 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 81 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Irma Nuraeni ◽

Hamam Hadi ◽

Yhona Paratmanitya

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

School Children ◽

Elementary School Children ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Vegetable Consumption ◽

Case Control ◽

Statistical Test ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Obese Children

ABSTRACT Background: Curently, Indonesia has double burden problems nutrition, such as malnutrition and over nutrition. Overnutrition or obesity are not just happening in adults only, but also can occur in childhood. If the problem of obesity in children and adolescents cannot be resolved, it can be inﬂ uenced obese in adulthood then potentially to have noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Prevalence of obesity in children at Yogyakarta Province increases year by year (1;2). Obesity was caused by an imbalance in energy intake and energy expenditure. Children tend to consume high energy-dense, sweet taste meal, high fat foods and less dietary ﬁber from fruits and vegetables. Several studies showed that there was increasing in risk of obesity from someone who have less consumption of fruits and vegetables. Objective: To determine differences in frequency and amount of fruit and vegetable consumption in elementary school children obese and non-obese at Yogyakarta Municipality and District of Bantul and to ﬁnd out the risk of obesity in children who have less consumption of fruits and vegetables. Methods: The study design was a case-control, 244 samples as cases (obese children) and 244 controls (non-obesechildren). The subject of this study was children aged 6-12 years who were seated in class 1 to class 5 elementary schools at Yogyakarta Municipality and District of Bantul. Identity data obtained from a structured questionnaire respondent, frequency and amount of fruit and vegetable consumption were taken from Semi Quantitative Food Frequency Questioner(SQFFQ).Then the results analyzed using statistical test. Results: Statistical test showed that there were signiﬁcant differences (p<0,05) in the frequency and number of fruit and vegetable consumption in obese and non-obese elementary school children at Yogyakarta Municipality and District of Bantul. Multivariate analysis after controlled by gender and energy intake, showed that obese children who rarely consuming fruits (<7 times/week) (OR=2,24, 95%CI: 1.53-3.28), rarely consuming vegetables (<7 times/week) (OR=2,52, 95%CI: 1,70-3,73), and consuming fruits and vegetables less than 5 servings/day (equivalent to 400 g/day) (OR= 4,59, 95%CI:2,11-10,00) were greater risk for being obesity. Conclusion: Obese children had rarely and less consume of fruits and vegetables than that did in non-obese children at Yogyakarta Municipality and District of Bantul. The children rarely and less consuming fruits and vegetables increased the risk of obesity. KEYWORDS: children obesity, vegetable, fruit ABSTRAK Latar Belakang: Indonesia saat ini mengalami masalah gizi ganda, yaitu masalah gizi kurang dan gizi lebih. Kelebihan gizi atau obesitas pada anak dan remaja apabila tidak diatasi maka berdampak menjadi obesitas pada masa dewasa yang berpotensi mengalami penyakit tidak menular, seperti jantung, hipertensi dan diabetes mellitus. Prevalensi obesitas pada anak di Provinsi Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta mengalami peningkatan dari tahun ke tahun (1; 2). Obesitas disebabkan ketidakseimbangan antara masukan dengan keluaran energi. Anak cenderung mengkonsumsi padat energi yang berasa manis dan berlemak tinggi serta makanan kurang serat dari buah dan sayur. Beberapa penelitian menunjukkan peningkatan risiko obesitas pada orang yang kurang konsumsi buah dan sayur. Tujuan: Untuk mengetahui perbedaan frekuensi dan jumlah konsumsi buah dan sayur pada anak SD obes dan tidak obes di Kota Yogyakarta dan Kabupaten Bantul serta peran konsumsi buah dan sayur terhadap kejadian obesitas. Metode: Rancangan penelitian ini adalah case-control, 244 kasus (anak obes) dan 244 kontrol (anak tidak obes). Subjek penelitian adalah anak usia 6-12 tahun yang duduk di kelas 1 hingga kelas 5 sekolah dasar di Kota Yogyakarta dan di Kabupaten Bantul. Data identitas diperoleh dari kuesioner terstruktur, sedangkan data frekuensi dan jumlah konsumsi buah dan sayur diperoleh dari semikuantitatif FFQ. Hasilnya kemudian dianalisis menggunakan uji statistik. Hasil: Pada anak SD obes dan tidak obes di Kota Yogyakarta dan Kabupaten Bantul terdapat perbedaan yang signiﬁkan(p<0,05) dalam frekuensi dan jumlah konsumsi buah dan sayur. Hasil analisis multivariat setelah dikontrol dengan jenis kelamin dan asupan energi menunjukkan bahwa anak SD obes yang mengkonsumsi buah jarang (< 7 kali/minggu) (OR=2,24, 95%CI:1,53-3,28), frekuensi konsumsi sayur jarang (<7 kali/minggu) (OR=2,52, 95%CI: 1,70-3,73), jumlah konsumsi buah dan sayur kurang dari 5 porsi/hari atau setara dengan 400 gr/hari (OR=4,59, 95%CI: 2,11-10,00) berisiko lebih besar untuk terjadinya obesitas. Kesimpulan: Anak SD yang obes lebih jarang dan lebih sedikit mengkonsumsi buah dan sayur dibandingkan dengan anak SD yang tidak obes di Kota Yogyakarta dan Kabupaten Bantul. Anak yang jarang dan sedikit mengkonsumsi buah dan sayur dapat meningkatkan risiko terjadinya obesitas. KATA KUNCI: obesitas anak, sayur, buah

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Parents Attending a Family Weight Management Program Perceive Similar Home Fruit and Vegetable Accessibility, but Greater Child Proxy Agency and Physical Activity Opportunity

Californian Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.32398/cjhp.v5i2.1241 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 157-162 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Richard R. Rosenkranz ◽

Karly S. Geller ◽

David. A. Dzewaltowski

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Vegetable Consumption ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Management Program ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Parents And Children ◽

Study Results ◽

Physical Activity Opportunity

Many children do not meet current guidelines for physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption, two areas of health-related behavior with links to obesity. Objective: To examine child and parent perceptions of child proxy agency, home physical activity opportunity, and home accessibility of fruits and vegetables. Methods: Dyads (N = 117) of parents and children completed questionnaires for this cross-sectional study. Results: For child proxy agency, fruits and vegetables accessibility, and physical activity opportunity, the parent and child perceptions were significantly related. Parent ratings of physical activity opportunity and child proxy agency were significantly greater than child ratings. Perceptions of both parents and children for proxy agency were associated with fruits and vegetables accessibility and physical activity opportunity. Conclusions: Parents and children hold similar, yet distinct perceptions of physical activity opportunity and child proxy agency. Perceptions of child proxy agency are associated with obesity-related home environmental characteristics.

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

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.125.suppl_10.ap070 ◽

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.

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