Vegetable Consumption Patterns Research Articles

Seasonal changes in markers of oxidative damage to lipids and DNA; correlations with seasonal variation in diet

We have addressed the question whether the relatively high incidence of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers in countries of central/eastern Europe might be associated with nutritional imbalance, in particular a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables in the diet in winter months. Nutritional parameters and markers of oxidative stress were studied in three Slovak population groups: 46 survivors of myocardial infarction (MI group) and 48 healthy, normolipidemic subjects (NL), living in or near Bratislava; and 70 rural controls (RC group) living a more traditional life style in a country town. Data were collected in February/March and September/October of two consecutive years, representing times of minimum and maximum local availability of fresh fruits and vegetables. Oxidative stress was monitored using two biomarkers; plasma malondialdehyde (MDA, a product of lipid peroxidation), and oxidation of lymphocyte DNA. Dietary antioxidants, folic acid, homocysteine, total antioxidant status (FRAP) and uric acid were measured in plasma. Food frequency questionnaires were administered. Vegetable consumption in summer/autumn was twice as high as in winter/spring. DNA damage did not vary consistently across the seasons. Mean plasma MDA levels for the MI and NL groups showed a clear pattern, with high levels in winter/spring and low levels in summer/autumn. Folic acid showed a reciprocal pattern, similar to the pattern of vegetable consumption. The RC group had the smallest seasonal variations in vegetable consumption, folic acid levels, and MDA. High winter MDA levels are seen in those individuals with relatively low folic acid; they never occur in subjects with high plasma folic acid, implying that folic acid might directly protect against lipid oxidation. This study illustrates the value of the molecular epidemiological approach, while emphasising the need for well characterised population groups and valid biomarkers.

Vegetable intake and long-term survival among middle-aged men in Italy.

To examine prospectively the relationship between vegetable consumption and long-term survival. In 1965, a total of 1536 Italian males from two Italian rural cohorts of the Seven Countries Study, aged 45-65 years, were examined. Information on lifestyle and food consumption collected at this visit, and total and cause-specific mortality data collected in 30 years of follow-up were analyzed for the present study. During a period of 30 years, 1096 deaths occurred (308 from coronary heart disease, 325 from cancer, 158 from cerebrovascular disease and 305 from all other causes). The age-adjusted life expectancy for men consuming more than 60 g/day of vegetables was nearly 2 years longer than for men consuming less than 20 g/day. This increase in survival was more striking in smokers than nonsmokers (2.1 vs. a 1 year gain). The association also held for both geographic cohorts, although the pattern of vegetable consumption was very different in the two villages. The results suggest a positive association between vegetable intake and life expectancy. Vegetable intake may be especially protective for smokers although the biological explanation for such an effect is unclear.

Patterns of fruit, vegetable, and milk consumption among smoking and nonsmoking female teens

Background: The increase in teenage smoking, and the fact that concern about body weight is given as a reason for smoking initiation by girls, suggest that food intake may be compromised in female teens who smoke. Daily consumption of a variety of foods is important due to the health-protective constituents they contain. Few studies have documented how smoking and the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and milk may be associated in female teens. Methods: This study examined the relationship of smoking and the consumption of fruit, fruit juice, vegetables, and milk in ninth- to twelfth-grade Caucasian ( n=2797), African-American ( n=2196), and Hispanic ( n=2052) female teens. Data from the Youth Behavior Risk Survey (1999) were analyzed with SUDAAN software, using logistic regression models. Results: Smoking was significantly associated with decreased odds of consuming milk at 0.74 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55–0.98); fruit, 0.70 (95% CI, 0.54–0.92); fruit juice, 0.74 (95% CI, 0.56–0.98); and vegetables, 0.75 (95% CI, 0.63–0.89) among Caucasian female teens, and with decreased odds of consuming fruit juice among Hispanic female teens at 0.59 (95% CI, 0.40–0.89). For each significant food variable, a dose–response relationship was detected with significantly more females consuming each food at lower smoking levels and significantly fewer doing so at the highest level ( p<0.05). By contrast, African-American female teen smokers tended to consume higher levels of the specified food/beverages than nonsmokers, but this relationship was not statistically significant. Implications: This study establishes a smoking/food intake interaction for the specific foods tested, in an adolescent female population. Compromising the intake of healthy foods and their protective nutrients leaves young women more vulnerable to the serious health consequences of smoking. These results underscore the need for young women to be educated on the importance of eating maximum servings of fruits and vegetables and dairy products, such as milk, particularly if they smoke or are at risk for smoking initiation. The study also underscores the need to culturally tailor programs according to differences in smoking initiation and eating/dieting behaviors.

Stages of Change and Predictors for Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among a Minority College Population

High fruit and vegetable consumption is recommended to decrease risk of cancer and heart disease. While research indicates that few college students eat the recommended five or more servings, limited research on specific dietary patterns of minority young adults is available. The purpose of this study was to investigate application of stages of change theory to minority young adult fruit and vegetable consumption patterns and to identify possible consumption predictors.As part of a larger study, students from a minority college campus in the Southwest completed a survey designed to assess dietary habits and attitudes. Stage of change for fruit and vegetable consumption was determined by intentional and behavioral criteria. Data were collected from 63 participants (5 1% Mexican American, 37% Caucasian, 10% African American, 2% Asian; 25% male, 75% female; mean age = 20 years of age).The majority (57%) of all students, consumed two or fewer combined fruit and vegetable servings. Participants were classified into the following stages: 53% precontemplation, 20% contemplation, 8.5% preparation, 7.5% action and 1 1% maintenance. Females were less likely to be in precontemplation and more likely to be in action than males (%2=15, p<.01). Dietary attitudes accounted for 15% of the variance in vegetable consumption (p<.05) and dietary attitudes and gender accounted for 19% of the variance in fruit consumptionThese results suggest that stage of change assessment and a focus on dietary attitudes may be important for planning dietary interventions for a minority college population.

Spousal similarities in fruit and vegetable consumption.

To explore similar patterns of fruit and vegetable consumption between health center employees and their spouses. Cross-sectional mailed survey assessing frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption, as well as demographics and knowledge, attitudes, access, and social support related to fruit and vegetable consumption. Six Massachusetts health centers. Two hundred eleven health center employee/spouse pairs (422 individuals). The kappa statistic measured agreement in fruit and vegetable consumption between employees and spouses. The Spearman rho coefficient measured correlations for individual responses. Multiple Linear Regression Models examined variables that explained fruit and vegetable consumption level differences. Response rate was 59%. Mean fruit and vegetable daily intake was 4.68 and 4.30 servings for employees and spouses, respectively. Over 75% of employee and spouse estimates measuring fruit and vegetable consumption-related information, on average, were within one survey response category of each other. Knowledge, attitudes, and access indices were significantly correlated with fruit and vegetable consumption for both employees and spouses. The social support index was significantly correlated with fruit and vegetable consumption only for the spouses. Differences in knowledge, attitudes, and access indices between employees and spouses helped to explain different fruit and vegetable consumption levels. Nonresponse, selection, recall, and seasonal reporting biases may limit the findings' generalizability. The effectiveness of worksite nutrition interventions may be improved by involving family/household members.

Psychosocial Factors and Health Behaviors Associated with Inadequate Fruit and Vegetable Intake among American-Indian and Alaska-Native Adolescents

The purpose of the study was to examine fruit and vegetable intake patterns among American Indian and Alaska Native adolescents and to assess psychosocial factors and health behaviors related to inadequate consumption. The study was conducted in nonurban schools from eight Indian Health Service Areas in the U.S.A total sample of 13,454 7th- through 12th-grade American-Indian and Alaska-Native youths living on or near reservations were given, in classroom settings, a revised version of the Minnesota Adolescent Health Survey.The health questionnaire assessed fruit and vegetable consumption patterns and psychosocial variables and health-related behaviors. The results indicated that fruit and vegetable consumption was below the recommended amounts. Less than daily consumption of vegetables was reported by 30% of adolescents and less than daily consumption of fruits was reported by 20% of youths. Psychosocial and health behavior risk associated with inadequate intake included being overweight, low family connectedness, poor school achievement, poor perceived health status, and tobacco use. Our study shows that fruit and vegetable consumption is low among American-Indian and Alaska-Native youths. More attention needs to be placed on developing culturally appropriate interventions to promote healthy eating patterns and addressing factors related to inadequate intake.

Dual Marketing Channel and Its Impacts upon the Vegetable Consumption in China

Vegetables are the second important food component in Chinese diets. The results of quantitative analysis using a dummy variable model and effects analysis indicate that the regional differences and self-sufficiency are the most distinctive characteristics in the vegetable consumption patterns of China, and suggest that the governmental policy and the efficiency in marketing vegetables are two important factors in the improvement of the Chinese vegetable consumption.

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE INTAKES BY INDIVIDUALS IN THE 1987-88 NATIONWIDE FOOD CONSUMPTION SURVEY

Using data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nationwide, Food Consumption Survey (NFCS) conducted from April 1987 through Summer 1988, 1-day intakes of fruits and vegetables by 10, 138 individuals are described. Mean intakes and percentages of individuals using total fruits, citrus fruits and juices, apples, bananas, other fruits and mixtures mainly fruit, noncitrus juices and nectars, total vegetables, white potatoes, tomatoes, dark-green and deep-yellow vegetables, and other vegetables are presented. Fruit and vegetable consumption patterns by age and sex (18 groups), by race (black and white), by region (Northeast, Midwest, South, and West), and by income level as a percentage of poverty (under 131%, 131-300%, and over 300%) are illustrated.

Fermentative characteristics of cereal brans and vegetable fibers

Dietary fiber has been suggested to alter the colonic environment and protect against colorectal diseases, but several recent epidemiological studies indicate that cereal and vegetable fibers may not confer the same benefit. To address this issue, five common cereal brans (barley, corn, oat, rice, and wheat) and five vegetable fiber isolates (broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, and lettuce) were fermented in vitro with human fecal microbiota for 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours. Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), hydrogen (H2), and methane (CH4) productions and neutral-detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility differed significantly with fiber source. The vegetable fibers were significantly more fermentable than were the cereal brans, as evidenced by greater NDF digestibility and increased productions of SCFA, H2, and CH4, despite the presence of fermentable starch and protein in the latter. We concluded that vegetable fibers may more effectively stimulate colonic fermentation than cereal brans do. These findings suggest an attribute (i.e., fermentability) that may partially explain previously observed differences between vegetable and cereal fiber consumption patterns and colorectal carcinogenesis.