Abstract
A daily intake of 5 portions of fruit and vegetables (FV) is recommended for protection against non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Inadequate FV intake is a global problem but resource-poor countries like Tanzania are most deprived and constitute settings where little is known for informing public health interventions. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of inadequate FV intake, frequency of FV intake, portions of FV intake and their associations with socio-demographic/lifestyle factors in South-Eastern Tanzania. Data on FV dietary indicators, socio-demographic factors, smoking, alcohol and healthcare use were collected from 7953 participants (≥15 years) of the population-based MZIMA open community cohort (2012–2013). Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations between FV intake outcomes and their socio-demographic/lifestyle determinants. Most (82%) of the participants did not meet the recommended daily FV intake While only a fraction consumed fruits daily (15.5%), almost half consumed vegetables daily (44.2%). However, the median (IQR) number of vegetable portions consumed was lower (2(1)/person/day) than that for fruits (2(2)/person/day) People with higher education were more likely to consume fruits daily. Independent correlates of inadequate FV intake included young age, being male, low education, low-income occupations, low alcohol, high tobacco and low healthcare use. Public health interventions should target the socio-economically deprived and culturally-rooted preferences while prioritizing promotion of vegetable for most immediate gain in overall FV intake.
Highlights
A daily intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) is recommended for protection against almost all major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) [1,2,3,4]
We aimed to describe the patterns of FV consumption and explored how these patterns associate with socio-demographic and lifestyle factors in southeastern Tanzania, using data from the MZIMA open community cohort
Out of 8734 (≥15 years) enrolled, 8518 had complete information and 565 participants with confirmed NCDs were excluded bringing the total number of participants for the present analyses to 7953 (Figure 1)
Summary
A daily intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) is recommended for protection against almost all major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) [1,2,3,4]. FV have vitamins, minerals and fiber which either singly or synergistically protects against NCDs as well as communicable diseases [4,5]. Antioxidants found in FV can prevent the action of carcinogens by inhibiting oxidative DNA damage [6]. Vitamins B12, B6 as well as B9 help reduce levels of homocysteine and risk of cardiovascular diseases. Many FV are rich in potassium which helps modulate blood pressure [9,10]. Maximum benefits from FV could be attained by daily consumption of five portions (400 g) [11,12]
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