Perceived Purchase of Healthy Foods Is Associated With Regular Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables

Abstract

ObjectiveTo identify healthy food (HF) purchase habits and intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) in parents responsible for grocery shopping for their families. MethodsSurvey with mothers and fathers (n = 216) of children aged 7–10 years in Brazil. ResultsGrocery purchases occurred mostly at supermarkets. Purchase of HF was considered to be frequent by 80% of parents, who cited FV as main examples of HF. The more frequent the reported purchase was of HF, the higher was the prevalence of regular consumption of FV (P = .002). Only 34% of respondents reported weekly intakes that could be classified as regular. Conclusions and ImplicationsPerceived frequent shopping for healthy foods was positively associated with regular consumption of FV but a gap between perception and behavior was identified. Nutrition education strategies need to go beyond a merely informative role and take consumers' opinions and points of view into consideration to become truly effective.