Fruit and vegetable consumption of rural African Americans: Baseline survey results of the black churches united for better health 5 a day project

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine baseline fruit and vegetable consumption (total and specific) among rural African Americans participating in a 5 A Day intervention study and factors associated with this dietary intake. A telephone survey was administered to 3,737 adult members of 50 black churches from 10 rural counties in North Carolina. The survey measured demographic characteristics, knowledge and beliefs regarding cancer and nutrition, and food-frequency data related specifically to fruit and vegetable consumption. Associations between fruit and vegetable consumption and income, education, age, gender, marital status, the presence of children within the household, and awareness of the 5 A Day program were explored using descriptive and regression analyses. Food-frequency data showed a mean intake of 3.7 +/- 2.4 daily servings of fruits and vegetables within this population of rural African Americans. Twenty-three percent of the participants reported eating five or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Significant associations were found between fruit and vegetable intake and both age and gender (p < 0.001), with older females consuming the most and younger males consuming the least fruits and vegetables. Findings from this rural African American population parallel national studies showing that US intake of fruits and vegetables falls short of the 5 A Day guidelines. Female gender and advancing age were positively associated with fruit and vegetable intake. Study results reinforce the need to promote the 5 A Day message. Such messages may prove most beneficial if targeted toward younger adult males, whose fruit and vegetable intakes are especially low.

Factors affecting food choice in relation to fruit and vegetable intake: a review

“…In the Health Education Authority's Health and Lifestyle Survey of 1993 it was found that the main demographic characteristics that distinguished between low and high fruit and vegetable consumers were age, gender and smoking status (Thompson et al 1999). It is these demographic characteristics that perhaps exhibit the strongest variations in intakes of fruit and vegetables, with women consuming more fruits and vegetables than men and older adults consuming more than the younger generations (McClelland et al 1998). A study of a random sample of 9003 British adults found that frequent fruit and vegetable consumption was 'associated with middle age, non-manual socioeconomic groups, non-and exsmokers, 'sensible' drinkers, small households, the south of the country and people with self-assessed 'excellent' or 'good' health' (Whichelow & Prevost, 1996).…”

“…Differences in intakes are even larger between social classes. It has been found that individuals with higher education, income and social status have a higher consumption of fruit and vegetables than those with lower education, income and social class status (Johansson & Andersen, 1998;McClelland et al 1998). In the Health Education Authority's Health and Lifestyle Survey of 1993 it was found that the main demographic characteristics that distinguished between low and high fruit and vegetable consumers were age, gender and smoking status (Thompson et al 1999).…”

Psychological distress may affect nutrition indicators in Australian adults

“…(2) a negative relationship between fruit consumption and distress and positive relationship between distress and takeaway consumption is more likely to exist in younger age groups than older age groups. This hypothesis is proposed on the basis that previous research finds higher fruit consumption amongst older age groups (e.g., Casagrande et al, 2007;Guenther et al, 2006;Johansson & Andersen, 1998;Kant et al, 2007;McClelland et al, 1998;O'Connor et al, 2010;Quadir & Akhtar-Danesh, 2010;Stewart et al, 2004;Wolf et al, 2008. (3) the inverse relationship between distress and FV consumption and positive relationships between distress and takeaway consumption will only exist for adults with lower levels of education.…”

“…(5) In terms of moderation, we hypothesised that an inverse relationship between distress and FV consumption and a positive relationship between distress and takeaway consumption will persist for adults from lower SES quintiles but not for adults from higher SES quintiles. This is based on research which highlights that adults from higher SES areas have higher levels of fruit and vegetable consumption, possibly because of the greater ability to afford these foods (Anderson et al, 1994;Casagrande et al, 2007;Dubowitz et al, 2008;Eisenberg et al, 2005;Guenther et al, 2006;Johansson & Andersen, 1998;Kamphuis et al, 2006;Kant et al, 2007;Lindström et al, 2001;Litt et al, 2011;McClelland et al, 1998;O'Connor et al, 2010;Quadir & Akhtar-Danesh, 2010;Sorensen et al, 2007;Stewart et al, 2004;Wolf et al, 2008). (6) Inverse relationships between distress and FV consumption and positive relationships between distress and takeaway consumption will be observed for adults without high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol, but not for those who do have these conditions.…”

Determinantes do consumo de frutas, legumes e verduras em adultos residentes no município de São Paulo

“…Seguindo-se metodologia proposta por FORNÉS (1998), atribuiu-se um peso (S f ) para cada categoria de freqüência semanal de consumo de frutas, legumes e verduras como a seguir:…”