Determinants of fruit and vegetable intake in US children

Abstract

Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2000 and 2001–2002 age, gender, ethnicity, poverty level, BMI, and food security status were examined as determinants of low fruit and vegetable intake in U.S. children ages 2–18 years (n=6,863). Significant differences in total mean daily fruit intake were found with regards to food security status and gender. Males in households determined food insecure without hunger had significantly lower mean fruit intakes (1.17 ¡Ó .093) than males in households fully food secure and marginally food secure (1.44 ¡Ó .066 and 1.54 ¡Ó .147, respectively) (p „T.024). Females living in households determined food insecure with hunger had significantly lower mean fruit intakes (.885 „b .126) than females living in households fully food secure, marginally food secure, and food insecure without hunger (1.39¡Ó. 064, 1.31¡Ó.127, 1.47 ¡Ó .128, respectively) (p „T .007). Total fruit consumption also differs significantly among ethnicities for school age children. Mexican American children have significantly higher mean daily fruit intakes (1.7 ¡Ó .08) than non-Hispanic white and other Hispanic children (1.3 ¡Ó .09, 1.1 ¡Ó .21, respectively). Mean daily vegetable consumption differs for white potato and deep yellow vegetables among gender, age, and ethnicity, specifically non-Hispanic black children. This study shows differences in total mean vegetable and fruit intakes among age categories and gender in conjunction with poverty status, ethnicity or food security status.