Demographic Characteristics Associated with Variety of Fruit and Vegetable Intake: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2013–2016 (FS02-06-19)

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To assess demographic characteristics associated with variety of fruit and vegetable (FV) intake by adults in What We Eat in America (WWEIA), NHANES 2013–2016. Methods One-day of dietary intake data of adults 20+ years (N = 10,064) in WWEIA, NHANES 2013–2016 were used. FV variety was defined as the count of foods consumed that contributed to total FV intake. To be counted, at least 0.1 cup equivalent (CE) FV of each single FV item and 0.2 CE from a mixed dish had to have been consumed. Each FV was counted only once; a mixed dish was counted as one. The Food Patterns Equivalents Database was used to determine the CE of FV intake. Individuals were classified for variety of intake as None (0 items), N = 579; Low (1–2), N = 3746; Moderate (3–4), N = 3423; and High (5+), N = 2316. Using t-tests, within each classification the % of individuals reporting were compared by demographic characteristics including gender, age, race/ethnicity, income, education, weight status, and current smoker status. Results Demographic characteristics that were significantly different (P < 0.001) among those classified as High FV variety included larger percentages of: those 60 + y (27%) than 20–29y (19%); Asians (34%) compared to Hispanic (24%) and Non-Hispanic black (17%); those at >350% poverty (31%) than either 131–350% (22%) or under 131% poverty (18%); and those with education of college or above (36%) than some college (23%), high school graduate (16%), or less than high school (18%). Those classified as High FV variety also had significantly lower percentages of: obese (19%) than either overweight (25%) or normal weight (32%); and current smokers (13%) than non-smokers (27%). All of these results were typically the inverse for the Low FV variety group with the exception of weight status which had no significant differences. There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics among those classified as Moderate FV variety. Conclusions Although the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that a healthy eating pattern includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, only 1 out of 4 adults were reporting at least 5 fruits and vegetables per day. Significant differences in % reporting appeared in the High or Low FV variety groups but not the Moderate FV variety group. Funding Sources U.S. Department of Agriculture.