Analysis of characteristics, frequency of eating fruit and vegetables in patients and non diabetes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore primary school children’s beliefs towards eating fruit and vegetables in a deprived area in England. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 children aged 9-11 from an after school club at a primary school in a deprived area in the West Midlands. Interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Findings Six master themes emerged from the data: “effect on the senses”, “feelings about food”, “healthy vs unhealthy foods”, “effects on health”, “convenience” and “family and friends”. Analysis showed that children seemed to have a very good awareness of the health benefits of eating fruit and vegetables. However, negative beliefs were associated with sensory perceptions (such as taste, texture, appearance and aroma), availability, and the competing desirability of other, unhealthy foods. Also, although parents were key influences, siblings and friends were often perceived as negative influences and would tease children about eating fruit and vegetables. Practical implications Suggestions for interventions include increasing the appeal and availability of pre-prepared fruits and vegetables in both home and school environments. Additionally, an approach to eating more fruit and vegetables which focusses on siblings and friends is advocated as these groups appear to play a key role in terms of promoting the consumption of these foods. Originality/value This study is novel as it uses individual interviews to explore primary school children’s attitudes towards fruit and vegetable consumption in a deprived area in England. By focussing on the specific behaviours of fruit and vegetable consumption, the findings aid the development of interventions that are designed to improve children’s healthy eating behaviour.

Download Full-text

Why is there an association between eating fruit and vegetables and a lower risk of stroke?

Topics in Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.1097/00008486-199906000-00015 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 83

Author(s):

S Bradley ◽

R. Shinton

Keyword(s):

Lower Risk ◽

Fruit And Vegetables ◽

Eating Fruit

Download Full-text

Knowledge of dietary and behaviour-related determinants of non-communicable disease in urban Senegalese women

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/phn2006979 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 975-981 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Michelle Holdsworth ◽

Francis Delpeuch ◽

Edwige Landais ◽

Agnès Gartner ◽

Sabrina Eymard-Duvernay ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Formal Education ◽

Communicable Disease ◽

Fruit And Vegetables ◽

Blood Cholesterol ◽

Health Consequences ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Obesity Epidemic ◽

Eating Fruit ◽

Non Communicable Disease ◽

Consequences Of Obesity

AbstractObjectiveTo assess knowledge of dietary and behaviour-related determinants of non-communicable disease (NCD) of urban Senegalese women.DesignA cross-sectional, population study using an interviewer-administered knowledge questionnaire, developed and validated for this study. The questionnaire consisted of 24 items with six scores measuring knowledge of: (1) diet- and behaviour-related causes of NCD; (2) diet quality–NCD relationship; (3) fruit and vegetable link with NCD; (4) health consequences of obesity; (5) causes of cardiovascular disease (CVD); and (6) causes of certain cancers.SubjectsA random sample of 301 women aged 20–50 years.ResultsThe knowledge scores developed suggest that the health consequences of obesity (mean score of 65.4%) were best understood followed by causes of CVD (mean score of 60.6%), because obesity, smoking, high blood cholesterol and dietary fat were well recognised as risk factors for CVD. Subjects scored least for their knowledge of the protective effect of fruit and vegetables (mean score of 19.9%). Knowledge of causes of certain cancers (mean score of 36.1%) was also low. Women who worked outside the home had better knowledge for two scores but otherwise no relationship was found between knowledge and literacy, formal education or body mass index.ConclusionsFindings suggest reasonable overall knowledge concerning diet and behaviour with NCD, especially given the relatively new context of the obesity epidemic in Senegal. However, there was poor knowledge of the benefit of eating fruit and vegetables and other preventable causes of certain cancers. Education targeting the benefits of vegetables and fruit may have the greatest impact on NCD prevention.

Download Full-text

The Effect of a Summer Garden Program on the Nutritional Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Children

HortTechnology ◽

10.21273/horttech.16.4.0620 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 620-625 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

S. Koch ◽

T.M. Waliczek ◽

J.M. Zajicek

Keyword(s):

Grade Level ◽

Eating Behaviors ◽

Multiple Choice ◽

Fruit And Vegetables ◽

Fifth Grade ◽

Nutritional Knowledge ◽

Attitudes And Behaviors ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

Eating Fruit ◽

Multiple Choice Exam

Fifty-six children were included in a study that evaluated the effectiveness of a garden program designed to teach health and nutrition to second through fifth grade-level children. The specific objectives of the research project were to evaluate the effect of the program on nutritional knowledge of the benefits of eating fruit and vegetables, nutritional attitudes toward fruit and vegetables, and eating behaviors of children, specifically consumption of fruit and vegetables. Children's nutritional knowledge was measured with an 11-question multiple-choice exam based on the educational activities performed. Children's nutritional attitudes regarding fruit and vegetables were measured with a fruit and vegetable preference questionnaire, and children's eating behaviors were evaluated with an interview question asking them what they ate for a snack that day. After participating in the nutritional program, children's knowledge about the benefits of eating fruit and vegetables significantly improved, but there were no significant differences found in participants' attitude scores toward fruit and vegetables. However, the participants did report eating healthier snacks after participation in the nutritional program.

Download Full-text

SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DIETARY BEHAVIOUR AMONG YOUNG GHANAIANS AGED 15–34 YEARS

Journal of Biosocial Science ◽

10.1017/s0021932016000456 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 187-205 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Acheampong Yaw Amoateng ◽

Phidelia Theresa Doegah ◽

Christopher Udomboso

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Vegetable Consumption ◽

Demographic Factors ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽

Fruit And Vegetables ◽

Dietary Behaviour ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Eating Fruit ◽

Socio Demographic Factors

SummaryThis study used data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey to investigate the association between selected socio-demographic factors and dietary behaviour as measured by fruit and vegetable consumption among a sample of 6139 young people aged 15–34 years in Ghana. Overall, fruit and vegetable consumption was low in young people, but females were likely to consume more fruit and vegetables than their male counterparts. Respondents from the Mande ethnic group, those who resided in rural areas and those living in the Brong/Ahafo, Ashanti and the Eastern regions consumed more fruit and vegetables than those from other regions. Females who were Catholic/Anglican, Methodist/Presbyterian and Pentecostal/Charismatic were more likely than those of other religions to consume fruit and vegetables, while Muslim males generally consumed more fruit and vegetables. The findings point to the need for interventions to educate young people in Ghana about the health benefits of eating fruit and vegetables.

Download Full-text