Fruit and vegetable intake in a sample of 11-year-old children in 9 European countries: The Pro Children cross-sectional survey

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2005

Authors

Yngve, A (Author) Other; Wolf, A (Author) Other; Poortvliet, E (Author) Other; Elmadfa, I (Author) Other; Brug, J (Author) Other; Ehrenblad, B (Author) Other; Franchini, Bela (Author) FCNAUP; Haraldsdottir, J (Author) Other; Krolner, R (Author) Other; Maes, L (Author) Other; Perez Rodrigo, C (Author) Other; Sjostrm, M (Author) Other; Thorsdottir, I (Author) Other; Klepp, KI (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism

Vol. 49 No. 4

Pages: 236-245

ISSN: 0250-6807

Publisher: Karger

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 253 Citations

Scopus - 259 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Health sciences

CORDIS: Health sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-55T

DOI: 10.1159/000087247

Abstract (EN): Background/Aims: An adequate fruit and vegetable intake provides essential nutrients and nutritive compounds and is considered an important part of a healthy lifestyle. No simple instrument has been available for the assessment of fruit and vegetable intake as well as its determinants in school-aged children applicable in different European countries. Within the Pro Children Project, such an instrument has been developed. This paper describes the cross-sectional survey in 11-year-olds in 9 countries. Methods: The cross-sectional survey used nationally, and in 2 countries regionally, representative samples of schools and classes. The questionnaires, including a precoded 24-hour recall component and a food frequency part, were completed in the classroom. Data were treated using common syntax files for portion sizes and for merging of vegetable types into four subgroups. Results: The results show that the fruit and vegetable intake in amounts and choice were highly diverse in the 9 participating countries. Vegetable intake was in general lower than fruit intake, boys consumed less fruit and vegetables than girls did. The highest total intake according to the 24-hour recall was found in Austria and Portugal, the lowest in Spain and Iceland. Conclusion:The fruit and vegetable intake in 11-year-old children was in all countries far from reaching population goals and food-based dietary guidelines on national and international levels.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10