Self-reported Fruit And Vegetable Intake Research Articles

The effect of increased fruit and vegetable consumption on blood pressure and lipids: a pooled analysis of six randomised controlled fruit and vegetable intervention trials.

Increasing fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk in observational studies but with little evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs). The impact of concurrent pharmacological therapy is unknown. To pool data from six RCTs to examine the effect of increasing FV intake on blood pressure (BP) and lipid profile, also exploring whether effects differed by medication use. Across trials, dietary intake was assessed by diet diaries or histories, lipids by routine biochemical methods and BP by automated monitors. Linear regression provided an estimate of the change in lipid profile or BP associated with a one portion increase in self-reported daily FV intake, with interaction terms fitted for medication use. The pooled sample included a total of 554 participants (308 males and 246 females). Meta-analysis of regression coefficients revealed no significant change in either systolic or diastolic BP per portion FV increase, although there was significant heterogeneity across trials for systolic BP (I2= 73%). Neither adjusting for change in body mass index, nor analysis according to use of anti-hypertensive medication altered the relationship. There was no significant change in lipid profile per portion FV increase, although there was a significant reduction in total cholesterol among those not on lipid-lowering therapy (P < 0.05 after Bonferroni correction). Pooled analysis of six individual FV trials showed no impact of increasing intake on BP or lipids, but there was a total cholesterol-lowering effect in those not on lipid-lowering therapy.

Pressure-Mediated Reflection Spectroscopy Criterion Validity as a Biomarker of Fruit and Vegetable Intake: A 2-Site Cross-Sectional Study of 4 Racial or Ethnic Groups

BackgroundValid biomarkers of fruit and vegetable (FV) intake are needed for field-based nutrition research. ObjectivesTo examine criterion-related validity of pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy as a proxy measure of FV intake, using plasma carotenoids and self-reported FV and carotenoid intake as primary and secondary criterion measures, respectively. MethodsHealthy adults 18–65 y of age, self-identifying as African American/black (n = 61), Asian (n = 53), white (n = 70), or Hispanic (n = 29), in North Carolina and Minnesota were recruited. Skin carotenoids were assessed via pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy (Veggie Meter), skin melanin via spectrophotometer, and total plasma carotenoid concentration by HPLC–photodiode array detection. Self-reported carotenoid and FV intake was assessed using a semiquantitative FFQ. Relations between skin carotenoids, plasma carotenoids, FV, and carotenoid intake, with differences by race or ethnicity, age, sex, weight status, cholesterol, and melanin index, were examined by bivariate correlations and adjusted multivariate linear regressions. ResultsThe overall unadjusted correlation between skin and total plasma carotenoids was r = 0.71 and ranged from 0.64 (non-Hispanic black) to 0.80 (Hispanic). Correlations between skin carotenoids and self-reported FV intake ranged from 0.24 (non-Hispanic black) to 0.53 (non-Hispanic white), with an overall correlation of r = 0.35. In models adjusted for age, sex, racial or ethnic group, and BMI, skin carotenoids were associated with plasma carotenoids (R2 = 0.55), FV (R2 = 0.17), and carotenoid intake (R2 = 0.20). For both plasma carotenoid and FV measures, associations with skin carotenoids did not vary by race, but these relations did differ by skin melanin—those with lower melanin had a lower correlation between skin and plasma carotenoids. ConclusionsReflection spectroscopy–assessed skin carotenoids may be a reasonable alternative to measurement of plasma carotenoids, a biomarker used to approximate FV intake.

Associations between farmers' market shopping behaviours and objectively measured and self-reported fruit and vegetable intake in a diverse sample of farmers' market shoppers: a cross-sectional study in New York City and rural North Carolina.

To examine cross-sectional associations between farmers' market shopping behaviours and objectively measured and self-reported fruit and vegetable (FV) intake among rural North Carolina (NC) and New York City (NYC) shoppers. Cross-sectional intercept surveys were used to assess self-reported FV intake and three measures of farmers' market shopping behaviour: (1) frequency of purchasing FV; (2) variety of FV purchased and (3) dollars spent on FV. Skin carotenoids, a non-invasive biomarker for FV intake, were objectively measured using pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy. Associations between farmers' market shopping behaviours and FV intake were examined using regression models that controlled for demographic variables (e.g. age, sex, race, smoking status, education, income and state). Farmers' markets (n 17 markets) in rural NC and NYC. A convenience sample of 645 farmers' market shoppers. Farmers' market shoppers in NYC purchased a greater variety of FV and had higher skin carotenoid scores compared with shoppers in rural NC. Among all shoppers, there was a positive, statistically significant association between self-reported frequency of shopping at farmers' markets and self-reported as well as objectively assessed FV intake. The variety of FV purchased and farmers' market spending on FV also were positively associated with self-reported FV intake, but not skin carotenoids. Those who shop for FV more frequently at a farmers' markets, purchase a greater variety of FV and spend more money on FV have higher self-reported, and in some cases higher objectively measured FV intake. Further research is needed to understand these associations and test causality.

Use of the Spectroscopy-Based Veggie Meter® to Objectively Assess Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Low-Income Adults.

Reflection spectroscopy is an emerging approach for noninvasively assessing dermal carotenoids as a biomarker of fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. This study sought to profile and identify determinants of scores from a reflection spectroscopy device (the Veggie Meter (VM)®) among 297 urban, primarily Hispanic low-income adults served by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The repeatability of the scores and bi- and multivariate relationships between VM scores, self-reported FV intake measured by a brief screener, and participant characteristics were examined. The mean VM score was 270 (range 0–695); 3- and 6-month test-retest correlations were positive and strong (r = 0.79 and 0.55, respectively). VM scores were negatively associated with body mass index (BMI; r = −0.22) and were higher among participants of Ecuadorian, Dominican, and Mexican Hispanic origin relative to those of Puerto Rican origin; foreign- vs. US-born participants, breastfeeding vs. non-breastfeeding participants, nonsmokers vs. smokers, and participants who consumed three or more cups of FV/day relative to those who consumed less than three cups of FV/day. Foreign-born nativity, consumption of three or more cups of FV/day, and smaller body size were determinants of increased VM scores. Although replication studies are needed to confirm these findings, investigators working with similar populations are encouraged to use the VM to longitudinally track FV intake and to target determinants of the scores in observational and intervention studies of FV intake as measured by the VM.

Examining fruit and vegetable intake in low-income older adults using the Veggie Meter®.

Older adults report low fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. The lack of objective, field-based assessments of FV intake is a limitation when assessing the effectiveness of interventions. To examine if self-reported FV intake was correlated with Veggie Meter® scores among low-income older adults. The Veggie Meter® is a portable tool that uses pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy to estimate skin carotenoid measurements. A cross-sectional assessment of FV intake, food security, and Veggie Meter® score in low-income older adults was conducted. Bivariate analyses quantified the association between FV intake and Veggie Meter® score. Participants (n = 154) were mostly female (69.3%), non-white (66.2%) and at risk for food insecurity (65.6%). Mean Veggie Meter® score was 172.3 ± 77.2 and had a small significant positive correlation with FV intake (r= 0.192, p = 0.018). The Veggie Meter® may objectively indicate FV intake. Research to validate the Veggie Meter® in older, diverse populations is needed.

Skin Carotenoid Scores Assessed with Reflection Spectroscopy Are Associated with Self-Reported Fruit and Vegetable Intake Among Latino Early Adolescents

BackgroundLatino early adolescents have a high prevalence of overweight and obesity. Interventions to address healthy eating among Latino youth frequently focus on fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. Reflection spectroscopy assessed skin carotenoid (SC) levels has been proposed as an easy, noninvasive method to evaluate FV intake, but validation studies involving ethnically diverse youth are lacking. ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the association between reflection spectroscopy-measured SC scores and self-reported FV intake among low-income, urban, Latino early adolescents, controlling for potential confounding factors. DesignThis study was a cross-sectional secondary analysis of baseline data from a community-based intervention program (Padres Preparados, Jóvenes Saludables) involving Latino fathers and adolescents to improve paternal parenting practices and youth energy balance-related behaviors. Participants/settingParticipants were 195 low-income, Latino early adolescents (aged 10 to 14 years). Data were collected in the Minneapolis/St Paul metropolitan area from 2017 to 2020 during fall or winter months. Main outcome measuresSC scores were measured using reflection spectroscopy, usual intakes of FV and carotenoid compounds were estimated based on the assessment using 24-hour dietary recalls. Statistical analysisMultivariable linear regression analyses were used to estimate associations of SC scores and each dietary component and potential confounding factors after assessing variables for inclusion in the analyses. ResultsThe mean SC score was 225 ± 95. The mean FV and total carotenoid intakes were 3.3 ± 0.5 servings/day and 8,360 ± 786 μg/day, respectively. Higher SC scores were observed among youth who had higher FV (β = .37 and P < 0.01) or total carotenoid intakes (β = .31 and P < 0.01). SC scores measured during fall were higher than scores measured during winter. Study participants with higher home FV availability and accessibility had higher SC scores. ConclusionsFindings supported using SC score as a potential easy-to-use indicator of FV intake among Latino youth with consideration of seasonal variation and home FV availability and accessibility.

Characterizing Urban Home Gardening and Associated Factors to Shape Fruit and Vegetable Consumption among Non-Farmers in Thailand.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between home gardening and sufficient fruit and vegetable (FV) intake among non-farmers in Thailand, and examine the influence of socio-demographic characteristics and other associated factors on home gardening among non-farmers in urban areas. Data were collected by a cross-sectional survey of a sample of Thai non-farmers (N = 5634). Information on self-reported home gardening, FV intake, health-related behaviors, and socio-demographic characteristics was collected via questionnaire. The findings show that home gardening is significantly associated with sufficient FV intake among non-farmers (p < 0.001). Within the non-farmer group who lived in urban areas, 9% gardened FV at home. Home gardening was significantly associated with socio-demographic characteristics (sex, age and occupation), physical activity, fear of pesticide contamination of FV, and FV safety awareness among the urban non-farmers. Respondents who were female, in the middle-adulthood group, practiced regular physical activity, feared pesticide contamination, and had high awareness of FV safety had the highest probability of gardening at home (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). The Thai government should pay more attention to factors that influence urban home gardening by providing support, building local capacity, and implementing effective interventions with the urban population.

P4 Recipe Sampling at Farmers' Market: Implications on Self-Reported Fruit and Vegetable Intake, Dermal Carotenoid Scores, and Intent to Prepare

<h3>Background</h3> Farmers' markets (FM) provide an opportunity for consumers to support local producers and promote fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud (PIUKP) develops healthy recipes incorporating locally-produced specialty crops and educational resources that are then delivered by Extension professionals. In collaboration with local producers, Extension professionals often set up at the FM to provide PIUKP resources and recipe samples. As part of the PIUKP project, evaluation data is collected annually at FM throughout the state. <h3>Objective</h3> To evaluate the relationship between self-reported FV intake and dermal carotenoid scores in adult FM patrons and to assess the impact of PIUKP recipe sampling at the FM on intent to purchase and prepare locally-produced FV. <h3>Study Design, Setting, Participants</h3> Over a period of 3 summers, adult patrons (n = 751) at diverse FM's throughout the state were invited to sample a seasonally-appropriate PIUKP recipe and complete a short survey with questions about their typical FV intake, sampling experience, and FM purchasing habits. Dermal carotenoid levels were also evaluated in years 2 and 3 (n = 525) through reflection spectroscopy using the Veggie Meter. <h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3> Descriptive statistics are provided. Correlation analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between self-reported FV intake and dermal carotenoid scores. <h3>Results</h3> The study participants reported consuming an average of 2.22 ± 1.18 servings of fruits and 2.91 ± 1.48 servings of vegetables daily. Mean dermal carotenoid scores were 200.3 ± 87.6; a weak (r = 0.32) positive correlation was found between self-reported FV intake and dermal carotenoid scores. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being "Contributes a Lot," participants indicated both recipe sampling (7.83 ± 2.23) and recipe cards (7.76 ± 2.34) contributed to their making a recipe using FV purchased at the FM. The majority (77.6%) of participants indicated they were very likely to purchase the FV highlighted in the sampled recipe. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Self-reported FV intake was weakly correlated with dermal carotenoid scores, indicating further research is needed to evaluate the use of reflection spectroscopy as a marker of FV intake. As well, providing samples of healthy recipes and recipe cards incorporating FV being sold at the FM contributed to the likelihood of purchase and later preparation of the recipe.

Demographic Relationships to Students’ Fruit and Vegetable Intake

Objective Fruit and vegetable (FV) intake remains inadequate in youth and differs across demographic subgroups. We examined relationships between student demographic characteristics and amounts of fresh FV selected, consumed, and wasted at school lunch. MethodsRandomly selected students (N = 294) at 3 middle schools participated. Weights (g) of FV selected and wasted were measured. School-cluster adjusted regressions examined the association between student demographics and dependent variables. Two-way interactions were explored. ResultsNo significant differences were found for student demographics on FV selected, consumed, or wasted. An interaction between free/reduced-price lunch status (SES) and sex of student on FV consumed was significant (omnibus p-value = .01). In probing the interaction, girls eligible for free/reduced-price lunch ate less than girls paying full price (83.9 versus 109.1 g). For boys the interaction reversed: boys paying full price ate less than boys eligible for free/reduced-price lunch on average (73.3 g vs 96.8 g). ConclusionsDemographics did not relate to objective FV consumption at lunch. Further analysis revealed a sex by SES interaction. These findings contradict previous literature mainly focused on children's self-reported FV intake. Results may inform interventions aiming for equitable improvements in FV intake.

The association between psychosocial factors and change in lifestyle behaviour following lifestyle advice and information about cardiovascular disease risk

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) and fruit and vegetable intake (FVI) are two key modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Achieving change in these behaviours is challenging and affected by many variables including psychosocial factors. We aimed to investigate the association between social support, stress and mood, and change in PA and FVI following provision of CVD risk information and web-based lifestyle advice.MethodsSeven hundred sixteen blood donors (56% male; mean age 57 years) from the intervention arms of the Information and Risk Modification (INFORM) trial, a randomised controlled trial to assess the impact of providing CVD risk and web-based lifestyle information, were analysed as a prospective cohort. We used linear and logistic regression analyses to quantify the association between social support, stress and mood at baseline and behaviour change following the intervention. We modelled objective (average acceleration measured by Axivity AX3 wrist-worn accelerometers and plasma carotenoid levels) and subjective (self-reported recreational PA and FVI) outcomes as change between baseline and 12 weeks follow-up.ResultsThere was no clear association between social support and change in objective or subjective PA. Higher levels of stress and, to a lesser extent, depression symptoms were associated with smaller improvement in self-reported PA (β -1.53 h/week vigorous PA, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.30 to -0.75, p < 0.001 for stress; β -1.64 h/week, 95% CI -3.50 to 0.21, p = 0.082 for little interest). Higher social support was associated with greater odds and higher stress was associated with lower odds of increasing self-reported FVI to five portions per day (odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.69, p = 0.020 for social support; OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.76, p < 0.001 for stress). The associations between psychosocial factors and objective FVI were not statistically significant.ConclusionsHigh stress and low mood may reduce the likelihood and extent of reported change in PA and FVI following CVD risk information and advice. Greater social support may be associated with increased FVI. The role of psychosocial factors should be considered when developing, tailoring and evaluating future interventions.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN17721237. Registered 12 January 2015.

When Is Congruency Helpful? Interactive Effects of Frame, Motivational Orientation, and Perceived Message Quality on Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

Health messages framed to be congruent with people’s motivational orientation have been shown to be generally effective in promoting health behavior change, but some inconsistencies have been found. This study tested whether the perceived quality of a health message moderated the congruency effect in the domain of fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption. Undergraduate participants (N = 109) read a health message promoting FV intake in which the frame (gain vs. loss) was either congruent or incongruent with their approach/avoidance motivational orientation. Perceived message quality and intention to increase FV intake were assessed after message exposure, and self-reported FV intake was assessed one week later. A significant interaction between congruency and perceived message quality was found on both intention and FV intake. When messages were congruent, higher intentions and FV intake were observed when perceived message quality was high, but the reverse pattern was observed when perceived message quality was low. The findings support the potential utility of using congruently-framed messages to promote fruit and vegetable consumption, while also underscoring the necessity of using high-quality messages in order for congruency to influence health-related behaviors.

Social approval bias in self-reported fruit and vegetable intake after presentation of a normative message in college students

ObjectiveTo determine the accuracy of self-reported data regarding Fruit and Vegetable (FV) intake in college students at Utah State University after being presented with a descriptive normative message. InterventionParticipants (N = 167) were recruited from general education courses and asked to complete a baseline survey containing a FV screener from the National Cancer Institute. They were then randomized to receive one of four messages one week after the initial survey and asked to immediately complete the same FV screener. The Control group received no FV message. The Recommendation group received a message that the recommendation for FV is 4–5 cups per day. The two normative groups received a message that either 80% of students ate more (Low) or less (High) FV than they did, regardless of actual intake, in addition to the recommended intake. AnalysisRepeated measures ANOVA was used to assess differences in reported FV intake and perceived FV intake of peers between the first and second assessment. Results and conclusionsThose receiving the message that they were in the lowest 20th percentile of intake reported a half-cup increase in self-reported FV intake and a one-cup increase in perception of peers’ intake (p = 0.037 and p=<0.001, respectively). No significant differences were observed in other groups. These results indicate that normative messaging may influence self-reported FV intake and perception of peer intake of college students when this message indicates that the participant is in the lowest percentile of their peers.

Classroom Nutrition Education Combined With Fruit and Vegetable Taste Testing Improves Children's Dietary Intake.

We tested the effectiveness of the Go Wild With Fruits and Veggies! (GWWFV) Extension curriculum on increasing fruit and vegetable (FV) intake of third graders. An intervention study was used testing self-reported FV intake pre/post GWWFV. Recruited schools were randomized to control (12 schools, N = 369, third grade children) or intervention (14 schools, N = 378, third grade children). Measures included items from a validated FV food frequency survey. Access to the federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program (FFVSP), and taste testing within GWWFV were also measured. Between-group differences in FV intake were evaluated using 1-way ANOVA for unadjusted models and 1-way ANCOVA for baseline adjusted models. The Tukey-Kramer test was employed for post hoc comparisons. Students with access to the FFVSP consumed more fruits (p < .01) and vegetables (p < .0001). Students who participated in the FFVSP and GWWFV with taste testing consumed more fruits and vegetables (p < .05) compared with students who participated in the FFVSP and GWWFV without taste testing, along with the control group. The FFVSP and GWWFV with taste testing demonstrated a positive influence on FV intake in third grade children. Leveraging environmental approaches with interactive learning experiences create desired outcomes.

Impact of California Children’s Power Play! Campaign on Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Physical Activity among Fourth- and Fifth-Grade Students

Examine the impact of the Children's Power Play! Campaign on fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and physical activity (PA). Study design was a cluster randomized, controlled trial. Forty-four low-resource public schools in San Diego County, California, were included in the study. Study subjects comprised a total of 3463 fourth/fifth-graders (1571 intervention, 1892 control), with an 86.9% completion rate. Throughout 10 weeks, activities were conducted during/after school, including weekly FV/PA lessons and PA breaks; biweekly classroom promotions/taste tests; posters displayed in/around schools; and weekly nutrition materials for parents. Self-reported FV intake (cups/d) and PA (min/d) were collected at baseline and follow-up using a diary-assisted, 24-hour dietary recall and Self-Administered Physical Activity Checklist. Multivariate regression models adjusted for demographics and cluster design effects were used, with change as the dependent variable. Intervention children, compared with controls, showed gains in daily FV intake (.26 cups, p < .001) and PA time at recess/lunch (5.1 minutes, p = .003), but not total daily PA minutes. Power Play! can help schools and community organizations improve low-income children's FV intake and PA during recess/lunch.

Parental involvement and association with adolescents' fruit and vegetable intake at follow-up: Process evaluation results from the multi-component school-based Boost intervention.

BackgroundBased on the assumption of parental influence on adolescent behavior, multicomponent school-based dietary interventions often include a parental component. The effect of this intervention component is seldom reported and the evidence is inconsistent. We conducted a systematic process evaluation of the parental component and examined whether the leveal of parental involvement in a large multi-component intervention: the Boost study was associated with adolescents’ fruit and vegetable (FV) intake at follow-up.MethodsThe Boost study was targeting FV intake among 1,175 Danish 7th graders (≈13- year-olds) in the school year 2010/11. The study included a school component: free FV in class and curricular activities; a local community component: fact sheets for sports- and youth clubs; and a parental component: presentation of Boost at a parent-school meeting, 6 newsletters to parents, 3 guided student-parent curricular activities, and a student-parent Boost event. Study population: Students whose parent replied to the follow-up survey (n = 347). Data: Questionnaire data from students, parents and teachers at 20 intervention schools. Process evaluation measures: dose delivered, dose received, appreciation and level of parental involvement. Parental involvement was trichotomized into: low/no (0–2 points), medium (3 points) and high (4–6 points). The association between level of parental involvement and self-reported FV intake (24-h recall), was analyzed using multilevel regression analyses.ResultsThe Boost study was presented at a parent-school meeting at all intervention schools. The dose delivered was low to moderate for the three other parental elements. Most parents appreciated the intervention and talked with their child about Boost (83.5 %). High, medium and low parental involvement was found among 30.5 %, 29.6 % and 39.4 % of the students respectively. Parental involvement was highest among women. More men agreed that the parental newsletters provided new information.Students with a medium and high level of parental involvement ate 47.5 and 95.2 g more FV per day compared to students with low level/no parental involvement (p = 0.02).ConclusionsStudents with a high level of parental involvement ate significantly more FV at follow-up compared to students with a low level/no parental involvement. Parental involvement in interventions may improve adolescents’ FV intake if challenges of implementation can be overcome.Trial registration ISRCTN11666034. Registered 06/01/2012. Retrospectively registered.

Increasing fruit and vegetable intake has no effect on retinal vessel caliber in adults at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease

Background and aimRetinal vessel abnormalities are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. To date, there are no trials investigating the effect of dietary factors on the retinal microvasculature. This study examined the dose response effect of fruit and vegetable (FV) intake on retinal vessel caliber in overweight adults at high CVD risk. Methods and resultsFollowing a 4 week washout period, participants were randomized to consume either 2 or 4 or 7 portions of FV daily for 12 weeks. Retinal vessel caliber was measured at baseline and post-intervention. A total of 62 participants completed the study. Self-reported FV intake indicated good compliance with the intervention, with serum concentrations of zeaxanthin and lutein increasing significantly across the groups in a dose-dependent manner (P for trend < 0.05). There were no significant changes in body composition, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure or fasting blood lipid profiles in response to the FV intervention. Increasing age was a significant determinant of wider retinal venules (P = 0.004) whereas baseline systolic blood pressure was a significant determinant of narrower retinal arterioles (P = 0.03). Overall, there was no evidence of any short-term dose-response effect of FV intake on retinal vessel caliber (CRAE (P = 0.92) or CRVE (P = 0.42)). ConclusionsThis study demonstrated no effect of increasing FV intake on retinal vessel caliber in overweight adults at high risk of developing primary CVD. Clinical trial registrationNCT00874341.

School Gardens Enhance Academic Performance and Dietary Outcomes in Children.

Schools face increasing demands to provide education on healthy living and improve core academic performance. Although these appear to be competing concerns, they may interact beneficially. This article focuses on school garden programs and their effects on students' academic and dietary outcomes. Database searches in CABI, Web of Science, Web of Knowledge, PubMed, Education Full Text, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), and PsychINFO were conducted through May 2013 for peer-reviewed literature related to school-day garden interventions with measures of dietary and/or academic outcomes. Among 12 identified garden studies with dietary measures, all showed increases/improvements in predictors of fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption. Seven of these also included self-reported FV intake with 5 showing an increase and 2 showing no change. Four additional interventions that included a garden component measured academic outcomes; of these, 2 showed improvements in science achievement and 1 measured and showed improvements in math scores. This small set of studies offers evidence that garden-based learning does not negatively impact academic performance or FV consumption and may favorably impact both. Additional studies with more robust experimental designs and outcome measures are necessary to understand the effects of experiential garden-based learning on children's academic and dietary outcomes.

Increasing Fruit and Vegetable Intake Has No Dose-Response Effect on Conventional Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Overweight Adults at High Risk of Developing Cardiovascular Disease ,

Background: Improving diet and lifestyle is important for prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Observational evidence suggests that increasing fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption may lower CVD risk, largely through modulation of established risk factors, but intervention data are required to fully elucidate the mechanisms by which FVs exert benefits on vascular health.Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the dose-response effect of FV intake on cardiovascular risk factors in adults at high CVD risk.Methods: This was a randomized controlled parallel group study involving overweight adults (BMI: >27 and ≤35 kg/m2) with a habitually low FV intake (≤160 g/d) and a high total risk of developing CVD (estimated ≥20% over 10 y). After a 4-wk run-in period where FV intake was limited to <2 portions/d (<160 g/d), 92 eligible participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: to consume either 2, 4, or 7 portions (equivalent to 160 g, 320 g, or 560 g, respectively) of FVs daily for 12 consecutive weeks. Fasting venous blood samples were collected at baseline (week 4) and post-intervention (week 16) for analysis of lipid fractions and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentrations. Compliance with the FV intervention was determined with use of self-reported FV intake and biomarkers of micronutrient status. Ambulatory blood pressure and body composition were also measured pre- and post-intervention.Results: A total of 89 participants completed the study and body composition remained stable throughout the intervention period. Despite good compliance with the intervention, no significant difference was found between the FV groups for change in measures of ambulatory blood pressure, plasma lipids, or hsCRP concentrations.Conclusions: There was no evidence of a dose-response effect of FV intake on conventional CVD risk factors measured in overweight adults at high CVD risk. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00874341.

Classroom Nutrition Education Combined With USDA's Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program Improves Children's Fruit and Vegetable Intake

This study tests the effectiveness of a school-based intervention and curriculum, Go Wild with Fruits and Veggies! (GWWFV), on fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. GWWFV curriculum is a 7-lesson curriculum created for 3rd - 5th graders, including taste-testing, classroom activities, take-home challenges, and parent newsletters. A randomized control trial tested self-reported FV intake in children. Volunteer schools were randomized into control (12 schools, n = 325 children), or intervention (14 schools, n = 337 children). Extension educators administered the curriculum within intervention schools. Children completed 2 validated pre/post-intervention surveys: a food behavior checklist and FV intake survey. Control group took the surveys over the same pre/post time-period. Access to the federal Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program (FVSP) and taste-testing within GWWFV were also measured. Baseline nutritional behaviors in children according to enrollment in USDA snack program were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Behavior change according to enrollment in GWWFV and taste test intervention were analyzed using relative risk and t-tests. Students with access to the FVSP consumed significantly more fruits (p<.01) and vegetables (p<.0001). Students who participated in the FVSP and GWWFV with taste-testing consumed more fruits and vegetables (p<.05) compared to students who participated in the FVSP and GWWFV without taste-testing, and the control group. The FVSP and GWWFV with taste-testing demonstrated a greater positive influence on FV intake. Environmental and educational strategies form a comprehensive approach to improving children’s diets. Offering hands-on nutrition education curricula alongside the FVSP may result in greater FV intake in children.

Effect of fruit and vegetable intake on oxidative stress and inflammation in COPD: a randomised controlled trial.

Epidemiological evidence supports a positive relationship between fruit and vegetable (FV) intake, lung function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Increasing FV intake may attenuate the oxidative stress and inflammation associated with COPD. An exploratory randomised controlled trial to examine the effect of increased consumption of FV on oxidative stress and inflammation in moderate-to-severe COPD was conducted. 81 symptomatically stable patients with a habitually low FV intake (two or fewer portions of FV per day) were randomised to the intervention group (five or more portions of FV per day) or the control group (two or fewer portions of FV per day). Each participant received self-selected weekly home deliveries of FV for 12 weeks. 75 participants completed the intervention. There was a significant between-group change in self-reported FV intake and biomarkers of FV intake (zeaxanthin (p = 0.034) and β-cryptoxanthin (p = 0.015)), indicating good compliance; post-intervention intakes in intervention and control groups were 6.1 and 1.9 portions of FV per day, respectively. There were no significant changes in biomarkers of airway inflammation (interleukin-8 and myeloperoxidase) and systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein) or airway and systemic oxidative stress (8-isoprostane). This exploratory study demonstrated that patients with moderate-to-severe COPD were able to comply with an intervention to increase FV intake; however, this had no significant effect on airway or systemic oxidative stress and inflammation.