Daily Consumption Of Fruits Research Articles

Dietary Intake and Health Status in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

Despite the positive effects of physical activity on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management, the lack of adequate evidence on the effects of dietary intake has raised concerns. This study aimed to assess dietary intake and its effect on glycaemic control among active and inactive patients with T2DM. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on patients with T2DM. Dietary food intake and physical activity were assessed using a validated questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. The daily consumption of fruit and vegetables was significantly higher in active patients compared with inactive patients (p = 0.00). Significantly higher daily rice consumption (p = 0.00) and lower dietary non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) intake (p < 0.01) were reported among inactive patients compared with active patients. The results also revealed a significantly higher glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level (8.37 1.51% vs 8.015 1.50%; p=0.02) and BMI (34.956.06 kg/m2 vs 31.725.62 kg/m2; p = 0.00) among inactive patients compared with active patients. A positive correlation was found between physical activity and NSP intake. The study found that a variety of lifestyle modifications, including increased physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption, could help manage glycaemic control in patients. The study further found that carbohydrate-rich NSPs may help lower BMI levels in patients with T2DM. KEYWORDS Dietary intake, glycaemic control, lifestyle, physical activity

Impact of citrus fruit intake on the mental health of patients with chronic heart failure

BackgroundThe full impact of the intake of citrus fruits on the risk of depression in individuals with chronic heart failure (HF) is unknown. Here, we examined the associations between the estimated habitual intakes of citrus fruits and depressive symptoms in patients with chronic HF. MethodsWe enrolled 150 stable outpatients with chronic HF who had a history of worsening HF. To assess the patients' daily dietary patterns, we used a brief self-administered diet-history questionnaire to calculate the daily consumption of foods and nutrients. To assess the patients' mental state, we used a nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). ResultsTwelve patients (8%) were identified as having moderate-to-severe depression (PHQ-9 score ≥10). The patients with PHQ-9 ≥10 had lower daily intakes of citrus fruits compared to those with no or mild depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 <10). The daily intakes of various antioxidants, including vitamin C, β-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin, all of which are abundant in citrus fruits, were reduced in the patients with PHQ-9 ≥10, accompanied by higher serum levels of 8-isoprostane (an oxidative stress marker). A multivariate logistic regression analysis using forward selection showed that a lowered daily intake of citrus fruits was an independent predictor of the comorbidity of moderate-to-severe depression in patients with chronic HF, after adjustment for age, gender, and the hemoglobin value. ConclusionsA lower daily consumption of citrus fruits was associated with higher prevalence of depression in patients with chronic HF. Our findings support the hypothesis that a daily consumption of citrus fruits has a beneficial effect on the prevention and treatment of depression in chronic HF patients.

Modifiable Lifestyle Factors Associated with Cognitive Recovery from MCI: A 12-Year Longitudinal Study

Introduction: Many studies have investigated the risk factors associated with progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to cognitive impairment, while it is unclear which lifestyle factors are associated with cognitive recovery among those who have mild cognitive impairment. Methods: The study includes 7,422 participants above 65 years old with MCI from The Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Cox regression analysis was adopted to investigate the association between cognitive recovery and selected lifestyle factors. LASSO was applied to select the variables. Results: Daily consumption of fresh fruits is associated with higher possibility of cognitive recovery (HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.15-1.42) while daily consumption of meat show opposite influence (HR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.80-0.99). Smoking (HR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98-1.00) and alcohol consumption (HR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.99-1.00) are both negatively associated with cognitive recovery. Daily engagement in reading (HR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.00-1.54), housework (HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.08-1.35) as well as mahjong and other card games (HR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.08-1.39) are associated with higher possibility of cognitive recovery. Conclusion: This study has identified important modifiable lifestyle factors associated with natural cognitive recovery from MCI. The findings have considerable implications for dementia prevention.

Modifiable factors associated with recovery of mild cognitive impairment patients: Evidence from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey

AbstractBackgroundIt is unclear which modifiable factors are associated with reversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to cognitively normal (CN) status.MethodThe study included 7,422 participants above 65 years old with MCI from Chinese Longitudinal Health Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Multivariable Cox regression with elastic net penalty was adopted to investigate the associations between reversion from MCI to CN and potential modifiable dietary/lifestyle, cardiometabolic, and psychological factors.Results1,604 (21.6%) participants reversed from MCI to CN with a median follow‐up of 2.8 years. Several dietary/lifestyle factors, including daily consumption of fresh fruits (HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.15‐1.42), daily engagement in reading (HR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.00‐1.54), housework (HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.08‐1.35), or mah‐jong and other card games (HR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.08‐1.39), were associated with a higher possibility of reversion.ConclusionThis study identified several modifiable factors associated with MCI reversion that may transfer into large‐scale preventive practice for dementia.

Hepatoprotective Effects of Sweet Cherry Extracts (cv. Saco).

Cancer is the second cause of death worldwide. Among cancers, hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most prevalent. Evidence indicates that the daily consumption of fruits and vegetables can prevent the onset of various cancers due to the presence of bioactive compounds. Sweet cherries are known for their richness in phenolics, including anthocyanins, which are the major constituents, and presumably, the key contributors to their biological activity. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of three different cherry fractions on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells viability and effectiveness to improve the redox status of these cells under oxidative damage induced by nitric oxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide. Phenolic characterization of fractions was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The obtained results indicated that enriched phenolic fractions of sweet cherries (cv. Saco, can impair cell viability and suppress cells growth after 72 h of exposure, promoting necrosis at the highest tested concentrations (>50 µg/mL). Additionally, fractions also showed the capacity to protect these cells against oxidative injury by capturing radicals before they can attack cells’ membrane and by modulating reactive oxygen and nitrogen species generation, as demonstrated by bioinformatic tools.

Barrier analysis for adequate daily fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income residents of Hanoi, Vietnam and Ibadan, Nigeria

Inadequate fruit and vegetable intake is a risk factor for malnutrition and non-communicable diseases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the determinants of daily fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income households in urban and peri-urban areas of Hanoi, Vietnam and Ibadan, Nigeria. We used the barrier analysis rapid assessment tool to assess the influence of psychosocial and individual factors and perceived characteristics of the food environment. In Hanoi, determinants were family preferences and habits, home production, and perceived benefits and action efficacy. In Ibadan, consumption was determined by affordability. Gender- and neighbourhood-related differences were found to be influential factors. As results are contextual, we recommend that interventions promoting fruit and vegetable consumption assess local determinants.

PENDEKATAN DENGAN KOMUNIKASI EFEKTIF TERHADAP KONSUMSI BUAH DAN SAYUR ANAK PRASEKOLAH (3-6 Tahun) BERDASARKAN TRANS TEORETHICAL MODEL

&lt;p class="normal"&gt;The low consumption of fruits and vegetables in preschool children can cause chronic diseases, lower immunity and digestive disorders in preschool children. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of effective communication on fruit and vegetable consumption of preschool children based on the transtheoritical model. This is a research with a quasi-experimental design. The measuring instrument used in the study is a questionnaire that has been tested for validity and reliability. The questionnaire contains the daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, a checklist of effective communication steps for mothers, questionnaires for pre-countemplation, countemplation, preparation, action, maintenance stages. The sampling technique used is simple random sampling. The sample in the study was 15 people. Data analysis used the Independent Sample T Test. The results showed that the average obtained was 3.82. The pre-test post-test gain value on Equal Variences assumed obtained a significance value of 0.003 (&amp;lt;0.05) so it can be concluded that there is a difference in the mean pre-test post-test so that there is a positive effect of the intervention on daily fruit and vegetable consumption. Table 4 above informs that all respondents (100%) entered the pre-countemplation stage, as many as 14 respondents (93.3%) went through the countemplation, preparation and action stages, and only 13 respondents (86.6%) reached the stage maintenance because 1 respondent (6.6%) had a relapse. The conclusion of this study is that effective communication affects vegetable consumption and preschool children based on the transtheoritical model.&lt;/p&gt;

Environmental Intervention in a University Canteen with Focus on Decision Guidance-Effects on Sale and Daily Consumption of Vegetables and Fruit.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether an environmental intervention in a university canteen changes the sale and daily consumption of vegetables and fruit among canteen users. The intervention focused on decision guidance, including a positive incentive and nudging. In a pretest−posttest-design, daily sales data of pieces (pcs) of vegetable components and fruit, as well as the sale per main component (pcs/mc), were assessed. Here, 20 opening days were analyzed, each after the intervention (t1) and in the same period of the previous year (t0). Vegetable and fruit consumption were assessed in a controlled pretest−posttest design (3-day-dietary-record, t0 and t1). The intervention group (IG; n = 46) visited the canteen ≥ once/week, and the control group (CG; n = 49) < once/week. At t1, the sale of absolute vegetable components did not change (t0: 132.3 ± 49.7 pcs, p > 0.05), but more per main component were sold at t1 (t0: 0.54 ± 0.09, Δ: 0.09 ± 0.13 pcs/mc, p < 0.05). In addition, the sale of fruit (t0: 17.4 ± 11.6, Δ: 8.3 ± 10.8 pcs, p < 0.05; t0: 0.07 ± 0.03, Δ: 0.05 ± 0.07 pcs/mc, p < 0.001) increased after the intervention. The total consumption of vegetables (IG, t0: 260 ± 170 g/d, CG, t0: 220 ± 156 g/d; p > 0.05) and fruit (IG, t0: 191 ± 109 g/d; CG, t0: 186 ± 141 g/d; p > 0.05), however, did not change. To effectively change daily consumption, the intervention needs to be expanded.

Monitoring of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in adult men

The study aims to evaluate the monitoring of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in the young population, which significantly contribute to the origin and development of cardiovascular diseases, such as peripheral artery diseases, atherosclerosis, stroke, and others. We focused on a group of young adult men (n = 110) in the age range of 30 to 50 years, which we selected from the database of 800 patients hospitalized in the Cardio Center in Nitra during 2010 – 2020. When evaluating the influence of meat products consumption frequency on biochemical parameters and BMI, we recorded a statistically significant effect at the level of p &lt;0.05 in the evaluation of meat products such as salami, brawn, and sausages. When consuming sausages, BMI values also increased with increasing frequency of consumption. The effect on BMI was also observed when eating salami, between consuming 1 – 2 times a week and not at all. We recorded a statistically significant effect (p &lt;0.05) in frequent consumption of brawn (1 – 2 weeks) on the level of HDL cholesterol. The most frequent fish consumption was 1 – 2 times a month for freshwater (51.8%) and marine fish (56.3%). Daily consumption of fruit was reported in 64.6% of men, while daily consumption of vegetables was recorded in only 44.6% of men. In the lifestyle assessment, we focused on probands' time spent on physical activity. Only 35.5% of men stated that they spend more than an hour a day on physical activity. 40% of men from the surveyed respondents were active smokers. Another risk factor for cardiovascular diseases is stress, which significantly affected up to 42.7% of respondents. Nutrition and lifestyle play an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, which significantly affect blood lipid parameters, vascular endothelial elasticity, and factors determining the etiopathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases.

Tobacco consumption in Chilean university students and associations with anthropometry, eating habits and sleep quality multicentric study.

SummaryTobacco Consumption (TC) is one of the main causes of the deterioration of health; however, there are few studies linking its consumption with diet and nutrition among university students. The objective of this study is to test the association of smoking with anthropometry, diet and sleep quality among Chilean university students. Cross-sectional study. University students (n = 1454) from the North, South and Central parts of Chile were evaluated. A self-assessment survey was used to evaluate healthy and unhealthy eating habits. Nutritional status was evaluated by Body Mass Index (BMI). Two surveys were used to assess sleep quality: the Questionnaire of Insomnia and the Epworth Scale. Finally, participants were consulted about Tobacco Consumption: 30% of the students consume tobacco and have a higher score in unhealthy food consumption, less frequent weekly breakfast consumption (< 0.01), lower daily fruit (< 0.01) and vegetables (< 0.05) consumption, higher alcohol consumption (< 0.05) and daily junk food consumption (< 0.05) compared to non-consuming students. Men who consume tobacco present greater insomnia (< 0.001), sleep latency (< 0.001) and daytime sleepiness (< 0.05) compared to non-consumers; and women who consume tobacco have a higher weight (< 0.001) and BMI (< 0.01). When performing logistic regression, tobacco consumption is positively associated with major alcohol consumption (< 0.001), whereas fish (< 0.05) and vegetable (< 0.05) consumption was negatively associated. In conclusion, students of both sexes who smoke have more unfavorable health factors and a poorer quality of life.

Social and Behavioral Factors Associated with BMI and Waist Circumference among Adolescents: The Jackson Heart KIDS Pilot Study.

African American children and adolescents make up a disproportionately large segment of those classified as overweight and obese. The purpose of this study was to examine social and behavioral factors associated with accelerated accumulation of weight and adiposity among this group. The data for this cross-sectional study were drawn from the Jackson Heart KIDS Pilot Study - an offspring cohort study comprising 12- to 19-year-old descendants of Jackson Heart Study participants (N=212). Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were the outcomes of interest. Daily hassles, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, television watching, parent/grandparent weight status and participant birth weight, age and sex were the independent variables included in the analyses. Males and females were equally represented in the study and the mean BMI and waist circumference for adolescents in the study was 25.81±7.78 kg/m2 and 83.91 ± 19.81 cm, respectively. Fully adjusted linear regression models for the total sample produced results indicating that age, television viewing, weight control, and parental weight status were positively associated with BMI and waist circumference, respectively. Findings from sex-stratified models for BMI and waist circumference indicated that the significance of coefficients for age, television viewing, and parent/grandparent weight status varied by sex. Knowledge is limited about how sex or gender interact with social and behavioral factors to influence African Americans' health and additional studies are needed to specify how these factors interact to accelerate weight gain and adipose tissue accumulation over the life course.

Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load of Four Local Fruits of Benin Among Apparently Healthy Young Adult Subjects

Background: Daily consumption of fruits is recommended due to their positive impact on the control of glycemia, cholesterol and coronary heart disease. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the glycemic index and glycemic load (GL) of four local fruits grown in Benin, namely papaya, pineapple, watermelon and grafted mango, among apparently healthy young adult subjects. Methods: This research work, being an interventional study of quasi-experimental category, involved 33 voluntary adult subjects (mean age: 23.4±1.9 years; mean body mass index: 21.38±1.89 kg/m2 ) distributed into 4 groups. The subjects of each group consumed the reference food (25 g of glucose or 50 g of white bread) twice a week with an interval of one week, and then a serving equivalent to 25 g of carbohydrates of each tested fruit in the morning after a 12-hour fasting on the evening. Plasma glucose was measured at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after food ingestion. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA, SPSS, 26). The P &lt; 0.05 was regarded as the significance level. Results: The incremental area under the curve mean value in mmol.L-1.min-1 of pineapple (89.21±21.75) was higher (P &lt;0.001) than those of mango (34.71±13.62), papaya (23.46±15.06) and watermelon (20.30±16.47). The mean glycemic index of mango (117.09±58.32) was significantly higher (P =0.007) than the ones of pineapple (52.97±29.87), papaya (46.77±45.77), and watermelon (41.04±34.06). The mean GL of mango (16.28±8.11) was significantly more elevated (P =0.001) than the ones of papaya (3.41±3.34), pineapple (6.36±3.58), and watermelon (2.54±2.11). Conclusion: Watermelon, papaya and pineapple may therefore be recommended for safe consumption in accordance with dietary guidelines.

Multi-Component Physical Activity Interventions in the UK Must Consider Determinants of Activity to Increase Effectiveness.

Interventions to increase physical activity in children have adopted broad approaches and achieved varying success. There is a need to adopt approaches underpinned with a theoretical basis. Accordingly, the aim here was to implement and evaluate a 12-week intervention designed using the concepts of the COM-B model to determine the effect this has on physical activity levels. One hundred and forty-seven school-age children (mean age 8.9 ± 1.3 years) took part in a 12-week program delivered in a school setting. Topics included physical activity, healthy eating, sleep quality and reducing screen time/sedentary activities when not in school. A sample of participants wore a wrist-worn accelerometer for seven days pre-and post-intervention (N = 11). The physical activity frequency was unchanged (2.9 ± 1.0 AU) when compared with post-intervention values (3.1 ± 0.8 AU, mean increase 6.8 ± 3.7%, p > 0.05). Changes were observed in the daily consumption of fruit and vegetables (pre-intervention 44.6% vs. post-intervention 60.2%, p < 0.05). Sedentary time, light activity, moderate activity and vigorous activity were unchanged post-intervention (p > 0.05). There is a need to adopt a broader approach that incorporates a theoretical basis and considers the complex ways by which physical activity behaviours are influenced.

Assessment of non-communicable disease related lifestyle risk factors among adult population in Bangladesh.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which can largely be prevented by controlling avoidable lifestyle-related risk factors, are rapidly penetrating the entire world, including developing countries. The present study aimed to assess NCD lifestyle risk factors among the adult population in Bangladesh. The data used in the study were collected as part of a population-based cross-sectional survey covering rural and urban areas of Bangladesh conducted in 2015-16 (N=11,982 adults aged ≥35 years). The lifestyle factors considered were diet (daily fruit and vegetable consumption and extra salt intake with meals), sleeping patterns, smoking, smokeless tobacco consumption, and physical activity. The study found that approximately 18.5% of participants had a non-daily consumption of fruit or vegetables, 46.6% used extra salt with their meals, 11.8% reported sleeping <7 hours daily, 25.7% smoked tobacco, 60.9% used smokeless tobacco and 69.7% were less physically active. The prevalence of improper lifestyle practices relevant to NCDs, such as an inadequate diet, poor sleeping pattern, tobacco consumption, and low physical activity, was significantly higher among older adults, women, the uneducated, the unemployed, urban dwellers, and people from rich households. The study found that NCD-related lifestyle characteristics were poorly compliant with standard guidelines among many adult populations in Bangladesh. The findings can inform preventative strategies to control the overwhelming NCD burden in Bangladesh, such as the promotion of physical exercise, healthy eating, and the cessation of the use of tobacco products.

Traditional weight loss and dukan diets as to nutritional and laboratory results

Traditional weight loss and dukan diets as to nutritional and laboratory results

Fruit and vegetables consumption among school-going adolescents: Findings from the baseline survey of an intervention program in a semi-urban area of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

IntroductionInterventions aimed at promoting healthy eating habits in adolescence can help prevent chronic diseases and promote healthy ageing. The aim of this paper is to describe the fruit and vegetables consumption habits of adolescents in Dhaka, Bangladesh as well as to identify the socio-environmental, personal, and behavioral factors that influence these habits.Materials and methodsThe baseline data from an intervention study involving 823 grade ten students from two randomly selected secondary schools in a semi-urban area of Dhaka were analyzed. The intake of fruit and vegetables was measured in terms of serving size per day. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to assess the ability of socio-environmental factors such as social support, perceived barriers, and living with patient with chronic diseases; personal factors such as knowledge, self-rated practice, behavioral intention, and body mass index; and behavioral factors such as physical activity, sedentary hours, and sleep duration to predict the level of daily fruit and vegetables intake, after controlling the effect of demographic characteristics of adolescents.ResultsThe average daily consumption of fruit and vegetables was 1.22 and 1.99 servings, respectively. Only one-fifth of the respondents (21%) reported eating five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. Inaccessibility at home was reported as the most perceived barrier for both fruit and vegetables intake. Adolescents’ higher fruit and vegetables intake was found to be associated with higher maternal educational attainment, more social support, adequate self-rated practice, positive behavioral intention, higher body mass index, better physical activity, and adequate daily sleeping.ConclusionThe findings revealed insufficient fruit and vegetables intake among adolescents in a semi-urban area of Bangladesh and associated socio-environmental, personal, and behavioral factors that were utilized in developing an intervention program for this transient age group.Trial registrationTrial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03975335) https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03975335 on June 01, 2019.

Analysis of nutritional status of children aged 10–13 in selected areas of the Silesian Province of Poland and assessment of their parents’ knowledge on child nutrition guidelines

Aim of the study: In this study, we analysed the nutritional status of children aged 10–13 years living in selected areas of the Silesian Province of Poland and assessed their parents’ knowledge of dietary guidelines. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in a group of parents of children aged 10–13 years in selected primary schools in the Silesian Province, Poland. Approximately 1,000 paper copies of an originally developed questionnaire were distributed among the respondents. The survey included questions about children’s anthropometric measurements, family structure and parents’ knowledge of guidelines regarding their children’s nutrition and physical activity. Statistical analysis was performed on 589 questionnaires. Results: The problem of obesity was present in 26.35% of children, while 16.44% were found to be overweight. In the study group, 21.84% of children were undernourished. Approximately half of parents know that a balanced child diet should consist of at least five meals a day. Only 7% of parents are aware of the appropriate level of milk and dairy product consumption by children, less than 9% of daily fruit and vegetable consumption and more than 51% of the combined consumption of meat, fish and eggs. On average, one in three parents do not know what the recommended share of the basic nutrients in the daily energy intake of a child is. More than half of the surveyed parents do not know the calorific value of fat, carbohydrates, protein, ethyl alcohol and fibre. Over 43.4% of the respondents know that a child should have 30–60 minutes of moderate physical activity daily. Conclusions: The knowledge of basic guidelines regarding nutrition and physical activity of children aged 10–13 years from selected areas of the Silesian Province among their parents is insufficient. Parents do not have the necessary knowledge regarding the recommended quantity and quality of food eaten by their children. It is necessary to implement educational programmes in primary schools addressed to both pupils and their parents.

Social isolation, physical inactivity and inadequate diet among European middle-aged and older adults

BackgroundSocial isolation is a growing public health concern for older adults, as it has been associated with poor health and premature mortality. On the other hand, physical inactivity and an inadequate diet are important health risk behaviours associated with physical and mental health problems. Considering that there is no research examining the possible relationship between social isolation and the above mentioned health risk behaviours of European middle-aged and older adults, this cross-sectional study aims to contribute to filling this gap.MethodsWe used data from the SHARE project (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe), wave 6 (2015), release 7.0.0 (N = 67,173 individuals from 17 European countries plus Israel). Statistical tests for a two-group comparison were carried out to assess the differences between highly socially isolated individuals and low/intermediate socially isolated ones. Logistic regressions by country were performed to examine whether social isolation is associated with physical inactivity and an inadequate diet in the population aged 50 + .ResultsOur results point out that, for the majority of the countries analysed, highly socially isolated individuals are more likely than low/intermediate isolated ones to be physically inactive and to consume less fruit or vegetables on a daily basis. In 9 European countries (Austria, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Belgium, Poland, Luxembourg and Estonia) highly socially isolated individuals are more likely to be physically inactive. On the other hand, in 14 European countries (Austria, Germany, Sweden, Italy, France, Denmark, Greece, Switzerland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Estonia and Croatia), high social isolation increases the likelihood of having an inadequate diet.ConclusionHighly socially isolated European middle-aged and older adults are more prone to be physically inactive and to have an inadequate diet in terms of daily consumption of fruit and vegetables. The reduced social integration, social support and companionship of the highly socially isolated individuals may explain this association. Our results reinforce the importance of social and health policies targeting highly socially isolated European individuals aged 50 + .

Clustering Generation Z university students based on daily fruit and vegetable consumption: empirical research in an emerging market

PurposeThe present paper explores Generation Z university students' clusters based on the consumption of daily fruits and vegetables in an emerging market economy, indicating young people's reasons to adopt a healthy diet.Design/methodology/approachUsing cluster theory, the authors analyse Generation Z university students who consume fresh fruits and vegetables, highlighting aspects of a healthy diet, in compliance with the WHO recommendations and challenges.FindingsData collected from over 459 Generation Z university students point out the possibility of typologizing them into nine clusters: three consuming fresh fruit and six consuming fresh vegetables. Most cluster members are aware of the value of regular fresh fruit and vegetable consumption in order to maintain health and overall well-being, but the authors also identified a cluster called “urban, but sick humanists at the beginning of their professional careers”, for whom a healthy diet based on fruits and vegetables is not a priority.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough this research only refers to consumers in the emergent economy Romania, it also allows the delimitation of specific categories which can be utilized by sector stakeholders, in order to identify issues addressed by each cluster member and to find the most appropriate solutions for encouraging/promoting a healthy diet.Social implicationsThe paper also raises awareness of the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption in other emerging economies, given the advancement of processed food and reduction of time available to cook healthy dishes.Originality/valueThe results contribute to extending studies conducted on emerging markets concerning fruit and vegetable consumption among Generation Z university students, highlighting the importance of a healthy diet, and the proper targeting of these consumer clusters by fresh fruit and vegetable producers and distributors.

Twenty-Four-Year Trends in Family and Regional Disparities in Fruit, Vegetable and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption among Adolescents in Belgium.

Dietary habits are influenced by various determinants that may evolve over time. This study aimed to examine, among adolescents in Belgium, trends in the dietary habits between 1990 and 2014 and to determine changes in family and regional disparities related to diet during this time period. In the 1990, 2002 and 2014 cross-sectional “Health Behaviour in School-aged Children” (HBSC) surveys, food consumption was estimated using a short Food Frequency Questionnaire. The Relative Index of Inequality (RII) enabled quantification of the gradients of inequality related to the family structure and to the region for non-daily fruit and vegetable and daily sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption. Between 1990 and 2014, the prevalence of non-daily fruit consumption increased from 27.7% to 60.6%, whereas the daily SSB consumption decreased from 58.9% to 34.8%. Over time, a downward trend in family disparities (p = 0.007) was observed for daily fruit consumption (RII: 1.58 (1.33–1.88) to 1.18 (1.13–1.23)). An upward trend in region-related disparities (p < 0.001) for SSB was found (RII: 1.15 (1.07–1.23) to 1.37 (1.28–1.47)). The overall trend of increasing disparities when dietary habits improved and decreasing disparities when dietary habits worsened highlights the need to implement actions that improve overall dietary habits while ensuring that disparities do not increase.