Determinants of inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption amongst Portuguese adults

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Oliveira A (Author) FMUP; Maia, B (Author) Other; Lopes C (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics

Vol. 27 No. 1

Pages: 194-203

ISSN: 0952-3871

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 10 Citations

Scopus - 11 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-8N6

DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12143

Abstract (EN): BackgroundA low consumption of fruit and vegetables (F&V) represents a high burden on health. The present study evaluates sociodemographic, lifestyle and anthropometric determinants of an inadequate consumption of F&V (<5 servings per day). MethodsParticipants were randomly selected within the adult Porto population (n=2485). Those with normal cognitive function and information on key variables were analysed (n=2362). Diet was assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by logistic regression, after sex stratification and controlling for age, education, marital status, smoking, regular physical exercise and total energy intake. ResultsOlder women and men had 37% and 67%, respectively, lower odds of inadequate F&V consumption (65 versus <40years: OR=0.63, 95% CI=0.42-0.94; OR=0.33, 95% CI=0.20-0.56). More educated subjects (>12 versus <5years) and those engaged in regular physical exercise had approximately 50% lower probability of F&V inadequacy compared to nonpractitioners, and this was similar in both sexes. On the other hand, female and male current smokers had 1.86- and 2.05-fold higher probabilities of having inadequate F&V consumption. Individuals consuming excessive alcohol (women: 15gday(-1); men: 30gday(-1)) presented a two- and four-fold higher probability of having inadequate F&V consumption compared to nondrinkers (OR=1.95, 95% CI=1.38-2.77 in women; OR=4.40, 95% CI=2.70-7.18 in men). ConclusionsIn both sexes, an inadequate consumption of F&V was more frequently found in younger, less educated and less physically active subjects with smoking and drinking habits. Strategies aiming to increase F&V consumption should consider these target groups that present a clustering of unhealthy lifestyles.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10