Low Daily Intake of Fruits and Vegetables in Rural and Urban Bangladesh: Influence of Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors, Social Food Beliefs and Behavioural Practices

Bangladesh is facing a large burden of non-communicable diseases. As a possible remedy, the WHO/FAO recommends consuming 400 g or five servings of fruits and vegetables every day; however, only a small proportion of the population practices this. The present study sets out to determine the sociodemographic factors that affect this low intake of fruits and vegetables, and the roles that beliefs and behavioural practices play in influencing food consumption. Logistic and ordered logistic regressions were used to identify what sociodemographic factors are significantly influencing fruit and vegetable intake, and to explain the role of social food beliefs. It was found that in Bangladesh 75% of urban and 92% of rural populations consume less than five servings a day. While gender was not found to be a significant factor, housewives appeared to be more at risk of a lower intake of fruits and vegetables. People with higher income, higher education, and who are older were all less likely to have problems with a low intake of fruits and vegetables. Higher education assisted in attaining positive beliefs and behavioural practices regarding food, while residing in a rural community was found to be a significant constraint.

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Nutritional value and health benefits of horticulture.

10.1079/hc.36147133.20219903176 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mary Taylor

Keyword(s):

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Vegetable Consumption ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Daily Consumption ◽

Bodily Function ◽

Functional Components

Abstract Daily consumption of fruit and vegetables is encouraged as important for human health and nutrition because the vitamins, minerals, essential micronutrients, fibre, vegetable proteins and bio-functional components they provide are crucial for bodily function. The FAO/WHO expert consultation (2004) on diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases recommended a daily intake of 400 g (five portions) of fruits and vegetables (excluding potatoes and other starchy tubers) to prevent heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. However, despite this recognition, world-wide per capita consumption of fruits and vegetables is estimated to be 20-50% short of the minimum recommended level. In 2013 an estimated 5.2 million deaths worldwide were attributable to inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption. Adhering to the WHO recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake can prevent morbidity and mortality caused by micronutrient deficiencies, birth defects, mental and physical retardation, weakened immune systems, blindness and even death. Improving the dietary diversity through horticulture-based food intake is an effective and sustainable approach to combating micronutrient malnutrition in both developed and developing countries (Kennedy et al., 2003).

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COVID-19: Nutrition to Boost Immune System to Fight Infection

10.47363/jmhc/2020(2)112 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Syed M. Shahid ◽

◽

Muhammad Jawed ◽

Keyword(s):

Immune System ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Daily Intake ◽

The Body ◽

Food And Nutrition ◽

Working Together ◽

Scientific Significance ◽

Global Population

The immunity and immune system functions to fight against infections are significantly impacted by inappropriate food and nutrition. Long term malnutrition is universally considered as the leading cause of immune system deficiency. A substantial proportion of the global population does not meet the recommended daily intake of nutrients. The COVID-19 pandemic has focused attention on the role of the immune system, with health scientists and nutritionists urging people to take supplements and/or eat particular foods (nutrients) to super-charge their immune systems.The immune system is the most complex system of human body. This system is made up of a complex network of structural and functional units like cells, molecules, tissues and organs all working together to safeguard the body as a whole.This precise review provides a chance to go through the efficacy, efficiency and scientific significance of nutritional components and relevant food (especially fruits and vegetables). This will help you keep appropriate food items in your daily meals so that you can get a progressive increment in your body’s defence mechanisms and immunity to fight appropriately against COVID-19. This will also help to decrease your risk for catching the viral infection and/or reducing the chances of having complications from COVID-19.

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Abstract P059: The Association between Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Alanine Aminotransferase Levels in Children

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.129.suppl_1.p059 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Jina Choo ◽

Hye-Jin Kim ◽

Hwami Yang ◽

Suyeon Kim ◽

In-Young Lee

Keyword(s):

Alanine Aminotransferase ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Weight Group ◽

Dichotomous Variable ◽

Obesity In Children

Purpose: Increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables is recommended for the prevention of childhood obesity. Obesity in children affects the liver, causing conditions such as elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Elevated ALT levels in obese children may be associated with features of metabolic syndrome. Yet empirical evidence on the association between fruit and vegetable intake and ALT levels in children has been lacking. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. Participants were 115 children aged 6 to 12 years, who were recruited from community child care centers in a community of Seoul metropolitan area in South Korea. Eating and activity behaviors were obtained by questionnaire administration. ALT levels were analyzed as a dichotomous variable with normal vs. abnormal values (≥30 IU/dL in boys and ≥19 IU/dL in girls). According to body mass index (BMI) percentile, participants were categorized into a normal-weight group of below the 85 th percentile, an overweight group between the 85 th and <95 th percentiles, and an obese group at or above the 95 th percentile. Eating behaviors were assessed via daily intake of fruits and vegetables as a dichotomous variable of 7 days vs. <7 days per week, and frequent intake of fast foods and sweetened beverages as dichotomous variables of < 3 days vs. ≥3 days per week. Daily physical activity was assessed as a dichotomous variable of 7 days vs. < 7 days per week. A logistic regression analysis was performed with an outcome variable of abnormal ALT and a predictor variable of daily fruit and vegetable intake, after adjusting for age, sex, income, alcohol consumption, frequent intake of fast food, frequent beverage intake, daily activity, and obesity groups. Results: Participants were 53.0% female, with a mean age of 9.7 years and a mean BMI percentile of 49.4%. Of the total participants, 28.7% were overweight or obese, and 24.3% were in the abnormal range for ALT levels. In a multivariate-adjusted model, children with a daily intake of fruits and vegetables were significantly less likely to have abnormal ALT levels (odds ratio [OR]=0.27, p=.017). Moreover, the obese group was significantly more likely to have abnormal ALT levels than the normal-weight group (OR=9.6, p=.005). Conclusions: Among children aged 6 to 12 years, daily fruit and vegetable intake was significantly and inversely associated with abnormal ALT levels, even after adjusting for overall obesity levels. Moreover, obesity in children was significantly associated with abnormal ALT levels. Therefore, ALT levels may reflect healthy eating behavior, especially fruit and vegetable intake, and a risk for obesity in children.

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Obesity and tooth wear among American adults: the role of sugar-sweetened acidic drinks

Clinical Oral Investigations ◽

10.1007/s00784-019-03079-5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 1379-1385 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Yousaf Kamal ◽

Saoirse O’Toole ◽

Eduardo Bernabé

Keyword(s):

Daily Intake ◽

Tooth Wear ◽

Acid Reflux ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

The Body ◽

Obese Adults ◽

Hurdle Models ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

Adult Participants

Abstract Background To explore the association between obesity and tooth wear among American adults and the role of sugar-sweetened acidic drinks consumption in explaining that association. Methods We analyzed data from 3541 adult participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Obesity was determined using the body mass index and tooth wear was assessed using the modified tooth wear index. Daily intake of four categories of drinks was estimated as the average (drinks/day) of two consecutive 24-h dietary recalls. The association between obesity and number of surfaces with moderate-to-severe tooth wear was assessed in hurdle models adjusting for sociodemographic factors, acid reflux medication, and dental insurance. Results Overweight and obese adults had more surfaces with moderate-to-severe tooth wear than those with normal body size, after adjusting for confounders. The consumption of sugar-sweetened acidic drinks explained part, but not all the above association. More specifically, the estimate for obesity was fully attenuated, whereas the estimate for overweight was slightly attenuated but remained significant. Conclusion Obesity was positively associated with tooth wear in American adults. This association was only partially accounted for by the consumption of sugar-sweetened acidic drinks, a common risk factor for both conditions. Practical implications Dentists must be aware of the health consequences of sugar-sweetened acidic drinks and advocate for reduction in consumption and/or substitution with healthier alternatives.

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Was There a Relationship Between Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Mental Health of College Students During COVID-19?

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab029_044 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 243-243

Author(s):

Kelly Parker ◽

Annika Rotvold ◽

Kerrie Honrath ◽

Yeong Rhee

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

College Students ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Vegetable Consumption ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽

Full Time ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Daily Number

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between average daily intake of fruits and vegetables and mental health in college students as measured by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Methods A survey was developed to assess college students’ fruit and vegetable intake and recent mental health using the Eating at America's Table Food Frequency Questionnaire (EAT) and the DASS-21. The survey was administered via Qualtrics in the initial three months after lockdown began due to COVID-19 in the area. Trained researchers coded the DASS-21 for the presence and level of depression, anxiety, and stress. The EAT was used to calculate the average number of fruits and vegetables consumed daily by each student by calculating the total number of cups of each fruit and vegetable as counted by the USDA MyPlate tool. Pearson's correlations were run between the average daily number of fruits and vegetables consumed and the severity score for depression, anxiety, and stress to determine whether relationships existed between the variables of interest. Results One hundred ninety-six students responded to the survey. Students were an average of 21.7 years of age (std dev. 4.4 years), mostly female (54.7%), freshmen (30.1%), who were enrolled full-time (69.3%). Most students identified as single (65.2%), and not in a relationship (35.6%), and as living off-campus (34.8%). Pearson's correlations revealed a slight relationship between average daily number of fruits and average daily number of vegetables consumed (r = 0.374, P < 0.01). There was no significant relationship between either fruit or vegetable consumption and any of the mental health variables. There was, however, a moderate to strong relationship between depression and anxiety (r = 0.480, P < 0.01) or stress (r = 0.686, P < 0.01) and anxiety and stress (r = 0.627, P < 0.01). Conclusions College students’ mental health at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown was not related to their daily fruit and vegetable intake. Funding Sources N/A

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Longitudinal associations of energy balance-related behaviours and cross-sectional associations of clusters and body mass index in Norwegian adolescents

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980010002272 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 13 (10A) ◽

pp. 1716-1721 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Maria E van der Sluis ◽

Nanna Lien ◽

Jos WR Twisk ◽

Ingrid HM Steenhuis ◽

Elling Bere ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Balance ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Health Behaviours ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Longitudinal Association ◽

Longitudinal Associations

AbstractBackgroundInsight into the role of energy balance-related behaviours (EBRB) is of great importance when it comes to prevention of weight gain and design of interventions tailored to target these behaviours.ObjectivesFirst, the present study examines the longitudinal association of four EBRB in Norwegian adolescents. Second, it aims to examine whether clusters of EBRB are cross-sectionally associated with being overweight.DesignThe present study is part of the ‘Fruits and Vegetables Make the Marks’ project. The study sample consists of twenty control schools in two Norwegian counties.MethodsSurvey questionnaires were completed by 884 pupils with an average age at baseline, September 2001, of 11·8 years. In the follow-up surveys in May 2002 and May 2005, a total of 809 and 724 adolescents participated, respectively. Four EBRB were measured: habitual fruit and vegetable intake, snacking and soda consumption, television and computer use and physical activity.ResultsResults of the associations between EBRB were similar for boys and girls. The odds, ranging from 1·14 to 12·06, were mostly significant. One out of four clusters, the unhealthy cluster, was significantly and cross-sectionally associated with overweight and obesity.ConclusionsLongitudinal associations of EBRB show that it is important to start early with interventions that aim to prevent unhealthy behaviours becoming habitual. These behaviours should be targeted at the same time as they tend to co-occur. More research, preferably longitudinal and more objective, is needed to investigate associations between health behaviours and body weight among adolescents.

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The fruit and vegetable intake of young Australian adults: a population perspective

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980017001124 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 20 (14) ◽

pp. 2499-2512 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Monica Nour ◽

Zhixian Sui ◽

Amanda Grech ◽

Anna Rangan ◽

Kevin McGeechan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Cross Sectional

AbstractObjectiveTo examine intakes and variety of fruit and vegetables consumed by Australian young adults, also assessing differences by meal occasion and sociodemographic characteristics.DesignSecondary analysis of cross-sectional 24 h recall data collected through the 2011–12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Crude means and proportions consuming fruits and vegetables were calculated. Pearsonχ2tests, Kruskal–Wallis analyses and linear regression models were used to assess differences in mean intakes by age, BMI and sociodemographic variables. The variety eaten was determined based on the number of fruit and vegetable subgroups consumed.SettingRepresentative sample of metropolitan and rural areas across Australia.SubjectsRespondents aged 18–34 years were included (n2397).ResultsMean daily intake of fruit (128 g/0·9 servings) and vegetables (205 g/2·7 servings) was lower than the minimum recommended intake set at 2 and 5 servings, respectively. Age was positively associated with fruit and vegetable intake (P=0·002,P<0·001), with 18–24-year-olds reporting the poorest vegetable variety compared with 25–29- and 30–34-year-olds (P=0·002). When controlling for total energy, males consumed less vegetables than females (P=0·002). A large proportion of the 15 % of respondents who consumed adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables on the day prior to the survey reported intake across all meal occasions (P<0·001).ConclusionsFruit and vegetable intake is suboptimal among Australian young adults. An age-appropriate campaign is recommended to target increased consumption, particularly for those aged 18–24 years, with opportunity to promote increased variety and consumption across the day.

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Implementation of a Multi-Component School Lunch Environmental Change Intervention to Improve Child Fruit and Vegetable Intake: A Mixed-Methods Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17113971 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (11) ◽

pp. 3971 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nader Hamdi ◽

Brenna Ellison ◽

Jennifer McCaffrey ◽

Jessica Jarick Metcalfe ◽

Ashley Hoffman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

School Nutrition ◽

Fruit Consumption ◽

Taste Test ◽

Nutrition Services ◽

Implementation Outcomes ◽

Rural Elementary School ◽

Social Norming

Nudge interventions are widely used to promote health in schools, yet implementation metrics are seldom used to understand intervention outcomes. A multi-component intervention consisting of cafeteria decorations, creative names, social norming taste tests, and flavor station components was implemented in three rural elementary school cafeterias by school nutrition services (SNS) and extension staff. Selection and consumption of fruits and vegetables at lunch were measured through monthly plate waste assessments over eight months (n = 1255 trays). Interviews were conducted with SNS staff (n = 3) upon completion of the intervention to assess implementation outcomes using validated acceptability and feasibility metrics. Consumption findings were generally inconsistent across schools and time points, yet fruit consumption increased at School 1 (p < 0.05) during the taste test and flavor station intervention months and School 2 (p < 0.001) during the creative names intervention months compared to baseline. Odds of selecting a vegetable at School 3 were three times higher than baseline during the taste test intervention months (odds ratio (OR), 3.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.3–6.5). Cafeteria decorations and taste tests had higher reported implementation metrics for acceptability and feasibility than other interventions. Thematic analysis underscored the facilitating role of extension support, as well as systems factors, which served as facilitators and barriers across schools and interventions. These findings suggest that nudge interventions are a promising strategy to improve vegetable selection and fruit consumption in school meal programs.

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Fruit and vegetable availability among ten European countries:how does it compare with the ‘five-a-day’ recommendation?

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114500001860 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 84 (4) ◽

pp. 549-556 ◽

Cited By ~ 65

Author(s):

Androniki Naska ◽

Vassilis G. S. Vasdekis ◽

Antonia Trichopoulou ◽

Sharon Friel ◽

Ingrid U. Leonhäuser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Public Health Service ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Mediterranean Populations ◽

Mediterranean Countries ◽

The Mean ◽

Spearman’S Correlation ◽

European Populations

Recasting the role of fruit and vegetables (F&V) in the diet, and planning national and international campaigns to enhance their consumption are major public health service objectives. The present study seeks to describe F&V availability patterns in ten European countries and examine compliance with current recommendations. The mean and median F&V availability (g/person per d) was estimated based on household budget survey data retrieved from the Data Food Networking (DAFNE) databank. Low F&V consumers were identified based on WHO international recommendations (minimum combined F&V intake of about 400 g/person per d) and current conservative guidelines of a minimum daily intake of three portions of vegetables and two portions of fruit. Considerable disparities in F&V availability were found among the surveyed European populations. Only in Mediterranean countries did the mean daily population intake clearly exceed combined F&V recommendations. Dietary patterns were positively skewed in all populations studied, on account of the presence of exceptionally high values among segments of the populations. Moreover, the correlation was unexpectedly weak between the proportion of low fruit and low vegetable consumers (Spearman's correlation coefficient +0·18). More than 50 % of the households in the surveyed populations are likely to consume less than the recommended daily vegetable intake of three portions, and this applies even to the two Mediterranean populations. The efficiency of F&V promoting strategies may be enhanced if F&V are addressed separately; furthermore, interventions that would specifically focus on vegetables are probably needed.

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Dietary habits of Palestinian adolescents and associated sociodemographic characteristics in Ramallah, Nablus and Hebron governorates

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980010000662 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 1419-1429 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Nahed Mikki ◽

Hanan F Abdul-Rahim ◽

Zumin Shi ◽

Gerd Holmboe-Ottesen

Keyword(s):

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Daily Intake ◽

High Standard ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Effective Interventions ◽

Palestinian Territory ◽

Main Meals

AbstractObjectiveTo describe food habits and associated sociodemographic factors.DesignCross-sectional survey in 2005.SettingNinety-six school classes in Ramallah, Nablus and Hebron governorates, Occupied Palestinian Territory.SubjectsGrade 8 and 9 students aged 13–15 years (n 2952).MethodsSelf-administered student and parent questionnaires.ResultsHigh standard of living (STL) index and residence in Ramallah were positively associated with intake of animal foods, Western-style foods, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, sweets and salty snacks. Only 26·1 % of the students ate three main meals daily; 26·2 % of the boys and 51·0 % of the girls had breakfast one to two times per week or less often (P < 0·001). Only one-quarter of students drank milk daily (32·9 % of boys and 18·3 % of girls, P < 0·001). The majority of students, boys and girls in similar proportions, consumed vegetables daily (72·8 % v. 73·8 %, respectively). Daily fruit consumption was also equally common among boys and girls (58·9 % v. 55·2 %, respectively), but with clear differences by STL, region and parents’ education. Daily intake of sweets and salty snacks was common among girls, and daily intake of soft drinks was common among boys.ConclusionsIrregular meal patterns were common among Palestinian adolescents. High STL and residence in Ramallah were associated with frequent intake of foods high in sugar and fat, but also with frequent intake of fruits and vegetables. Effective interventions are needed to establish healthy dietary habits.

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