The Influence of Rurality on Fruit and Vegetable Intake and BMI: Findings in Mississippi Are Not Consistent with Those at the National Level.

Danielle Fastring,Hilary Deshong,Danielle Nadorff

doi:10.3390/ijerph18095021

Abstract

Sixty percent of Americans have at least one chronic disease that is both diet-related and preventable. Those living in rural areas often experience a greater burden of disease than those who live near a city center. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of rurality on fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption and BMI. Additionally, the study compares national results to those in Mississippi, a state with an aging population, and high rates of poverty, rurality, poor diet, and obesity. Data utilized were from the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. One-way analyses of covariance were performed to determine impact of rurality on nutritional intake and BMI, while controlling for age, income, education, race, and the presence of children in the home. At the national level, rurality had a significant impact on BMI, and the daily intake of fruit juice, fruits, dark green vegetables, French fries, potatoes, other vegetables, and total daily vegetable intake. BMI and nutritional intake of those living in Mississippi was significantly poorer than those living in other states. More research is needed to determine how to best facilitate access to healthy FVs for those living in rural communities.

Highlights

A chronic condition is defined as “any physical or mental health condition that lasts more than one year and causes functional restrictions or requires ongoing monitoring or treatment” [1,2,3]
In a prospective cohort study which analyzed data from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study [8,9], findings show that after adjustment for covariates such as age, race, sex, history of diabetes, physical activity, education level, regular alcohol consumption, current smoking, vitamin supplement use, and total energy intake, intake of fruit and vegetables at least three times per day was associated with a 15% lower mortality from all causes (0.85; 0.72, 1.00; P for trend = 0.02), a
The purpose of the current study was to determine the influence of rurality on fruit and vegetable consumption and body mass index (BMI) within a nationwide sample when controlling for age, income level, education, race, and presence of children in the home

Summary

Introduction

A chronic condition is defined as “any physical or mental health condition that lasts more than one year and causes functional restrictions or requires ongoing monitoring or treatment” [1,2,3]. Diet-related chronic diseases include, but are not limited to, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis and bone fractures, and dental disease [7]. In a prospective cohort study which analyzed data from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study [8,9], findings show that after adjustment for covariates such as age, race, sex, history of diabetes, physical activity, education level, regular alcohol consumption, current smoking, vitamin supplement use, and total energy intake, intake of fruit and vegetables at least three times per day was associated with a 15% lower mortality from all causes (0.85; 0.72, 1.00; P for trend = 0.02), a. Lower mortality from cardiovascular disease (0.73; 0.58, 0.92; P for trend = 0.008), a 42%. In a second prospective cohort study which examined the relationship between the quantity of fruit and vegetables consumed and

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