Vegetable Food Frequency Questionnaire Research Articles

Application of a salt substitute in bitter taste suppression and toward better acceptance of cruciferous vegetables in diet

The addition of table salt has been reported to enable better acceptance when consuming the least preferred vegetables belonging to the Cruciferae family. Considering the adverse effect of excessive table salt intake on incidence of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, it is essential to explore an alternative healthier option for better acceptance and to encourage consumption of these vegetables. In this study, 261 adult participants were evaluated for their preferences toward basic tastes and food as well as sensory evaluation of a meal prepared from cruciferous vegetables with the addition of two different salts, sodium chloride and salt substitute containing a blend of potassium and sodium salts. A general questionnaire was used to assess taste and food preferences, while the Cruciferous Vegetable Food Frequency Questionnaire (CVFFQ) was used for vegetable intake assessment. The Labeled Magnitude Scale (LMS), Just About Right (JAR) scale, and several hedonic scales were used to determine taster status and sensory evaluation. The results show that a low concentration of the salt substitute did not impact bitterness suppression but did result in higher preference of the cruciferous vegetable meal. Although, subjects self-reported to have salty taste preferences were more sensitive to bitter taste, they did not perceive samples as less salty and less acceptable than subjects with lower sensitivity. The results show the necessity for further examination of the effectiveness of different concentrations of the assessed salt substitute in suppressing perceived bitterness of cruciferous vegetables and regarding their overall acceptance for inclusion in diets.

Understanding fruit and vegetable intake of Native American children: A mixed methods study

Native American children experience greater rates of obesity and risk for chronic diseases in comparison to their counterparts in other ethnic groups. Contributing to this risk may be inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables. The objective of this study was to investigate the fruit and vegetable consumption of Native American children between the ages of 2 and 5 by using an exploratory sequential mixed methods research design. This study first collected qualitative data from caregivers of Native American children (n = 45) and stakeholders in Native American communities (n = 10) to gain perspectives of fruit and vegetable consumption. Data was then utilized to develop a fruit and vegetable survey which was administered with a fruit and vegetable food frequency questionnaire. These quantitative assessments were administered to caregivers of Native American children (n = 92) to gain an understanding of predictors of fruit and vegetable intake among this population. This study was guided by the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model of health behavior. Findings from the mixed methods analysis demonstrate that, while the IMB model may be a useful tool to utilize in explaining the complex relationship between factors that impact fruit and vegetable consumption among Native American children, a revised model may be appropriate to use in future intervention development.

Social Cognitive Predictors of Dietary Behavior Among African Americans

Background: This study examined the extent to which social cognitive theory is involved in dietary behavior changes among a sample of African Americans in Georgia. Purpose: We examined whether outcome expectations, barriers, and self-efficacy mediate changes in fruit and vegetable intake behavior. Methods: To accomplish this, we used change scores from the time of baseline (T1) to follow-up (T2). Using self-efficacy as an example, mathematically this is represented by the equation: Self-efficacy T2 − Self efficacy T1 = Δ Self-efficacy. A total of 1011 individuals were recruited across the 14 churches (20% of total population). Three measures of dietary intake were obtained to provide an estimate of actual intake. Participants completed a 7-item fruit and vegetable food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) measuring consumption behavior in the past month, based on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Regression analysis was performed using the fruit and vegetable values from the FFQs and 24-hour recall as the dependent variables. Results: Findings indicate that self-efficacy in isolation significantly predicted changes in fruit and vegetable intake (B = 0.606, P < .001) but accounted for a little less than 3% of the variance (R2 = 0.027). Likewise, changes in outcome expectations for eating more fruits and vegetables (B = 0.517, P < .001) and changes in barriers (B = − 0.812, P < .001) were significant predictors. Translation to Health Education Practice: Results of this study can assist health educators to design, implement, and evaluate health education and health promotion programs related to dietary practices.

Associations of parenting styles, parental feeding practices and child characteristics with young children's fruit and vegetable consumption

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of parent and child characteristics in explaining children's fruit and vegetable intakes. In 2008, parents of preschoolers (mean age 3.5 years) from 56 schools in Belgium-Flanders completed questionnaires including a parent and child fruit and vegetable food frequency questionnaire, general parenting styles (laxness, overreactivity and positive interactions), specific food parenting practices (child-centered and parent-centered feeding practices) and children's characteristics (children's shyness, emotionality, stubbornness, activity, sociability, and negative reactions to food). Multiple linear regression analyses ( n = 755) indicated a significant positive association between children's fruit and vegetable intake and parent's intake and a negative association with children's negative reactions to food. No general parenting style dimension or child personality characteristic explained differences in children's fruit and vegetable intakes. Child-centered feeding practices were positively related to children's fruit and vegetable intakes, while parent-centered feeding practices were negatively related to children's vegetable intakes. In order to try to increase children's fruit and vegetable consumption, parents should be guided to improve their own diet and to use child-centered parenting practices and strategies known to decrease negative reactions to food.

A Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating Online Interventions to Improve Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

We assessed change in fruit and vegetable intake in a population-based sample, comparing an online untailored program (arm 1) with a tailored behavioral intervention (arm 2) and with a tailored behavioral intervention plus motivational interviewing-based counseling via e-mail (arm 3). We conducted a randomized controlled intervention trial, enrolling members aged 21 to 65 years from 5 health plans in Seattle, Washington; Denver, Colorado; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Detroit, Michigan; and Atlanta, Georgia. Participants reported fruit and vegetable intake at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months. We assessed mean change in fruit and vegetable servings per day at 12 months after baseline, using a validated self-report fruit and vegetable food frequency questionnaire. Of 2540 trial participants, 80% were followed up at 12 months. Overall baseline mean fruit and vegetable intake was 4.4 servings per day. Average servings increased by more than 2 servings across all study arms (P<.001), with the greatest increase (+2.8 servings) among participants of arm 3 (P=.05, compared with control). Overall program satisfaction was high. This online nutritional intervention was well received, convenient, easy to disseminate, and associated with sustained dietary change. Such programs have promise as population-based dietary interventions.

Cruciferous Vegetable Intake Questionnaire Improves Cruciferous Vegetable Intake Estimates

Objective To develop a validated, focused Cruciferous Vegetable Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) as an assessment tool for specific quantification of dietary cruciferous vegetable exposure. Design/Methods Participants (n=107; 18 to 76 years old) completed a standard FFQ and the Cruciferous Vegetable FFQ twice over a 2-week period. Repeat dietary recalls were collected on 3 days over the same 2-week period. Urinary dithiocarbamate was determined as a biomarker of cruciferous vegetable intake. Statistical Analyses Descriptive statistics of intake; paired t tests and sign tests for comparison of intake estimates between instruments; Spearman correlations to assess reliability and associations between diet instruments and urinary dithiocarbamate. Results Cruciferous vegetable intake was significantly correlated between the two FFQs ( r s =0.58), although the Cruciferous Vegetable FFQ estimated intake 35 g higher than the standard FFQ. The Cruciferous Vegetable FFQ was reliable, with a repeated measures correlation of 0.69 ( P≤0.01). Urinary dithiocarbamate excretion correlated with cruciferous vegetable intake from the Cruciferous Vegetable FFQ ( r s =0.26, P<0.01), and from the standard FFQ ( r s =0.19, P=0.06). Conclusions The Cruciferous Vegetable FFQ provided a reproducible, valid estimate of cruciferous vegetable exposure and improved the relationship between crucifer consumption and urinary dithiocarbamate, a biomarker of cruciferous vegetable exposure. The nearly twofold difference in exposure estimates between the Cruciferous Vegetable FFQ and the standard FFQ could change the statistical significance of risk estimates in the context of epidemiological research. This questionnaire is an appropriate research tool to evaluate cruciferous vegetable intake more accurately than a standard FFQ, particularly in the context of dietary intervention studies that promote increased vegetable intake to reduce the risk for chronic disease.

Associations of Fruit &amp; Vegetable Intake with Serum Carotenoids, &amp; Skin Carotenoids Measured with Raman Spectroscopy (RS)

We evaluated the associations of fruit and vegetable intake with both conventionally measured serum carotenoids and skin carotenoids measured by RS. Following approval by the University of Utah IRB, consent was obtained from 320 apparently healthy male and female corporate employees participating in their annual health risk assessment. Skin carotenoids were measured with RS 473nm excitation in a standardized location in the palm of the hand. Blood samples were taken to assess serum nutrients including carotenoids. Fruit and vegetable intake was assessed with a modified Block fruit and vegetable food frequency questionnaire (FVFFQ). Co-variates included BMI, lifestyle behaviors and dietary supplement intake. Pearson correlations and regression analyses revealed similar modest significant correlations with both the FVFFQ composite serving score and a composite serum carotenoid score (r=.21; p=0.0003; n=285) and with the RS skin carotenoid score(r=.28; p<0.0001;n=296). These relationships were independent of supplement intake which had a stronger significant relationship with serum carotenoid levels (r=.52; p<0.0001; n=285) and RS carotenoid levels (r=.48; p<0.0001; n=296). These results indicate RS scanner has potential utility as a rapid screening method that reflects fruit and vegetable intake similar to a FVFFQ as well as serum blood measures, without the risk and time associated with collecting and analyzing blood samples.

Cultural Relevance of a Fruit and Vegetable Food Frequency Questionnaire

Canada's multicultural population poses challenges for culturally competent nutrition research and practice. In this qualitative study, the cultural relevance of a widely used semi-quantitative fruit and vegetable food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was examined among convenience samples of adults from Toronto's Cantonese-, Mandarin-, Portuguese-, and Vietnamese-speaking communities. Eighty-nine participants were recruited through community-based organizations, programs, and advertisements to participate in semi-structured interviews moderated in their native language. Data from the interviews were translated into English and transcribed for analysis using the constant comparative approach. Four main themes emerged from the analysis: the cultural relevance of the foods listed on the FFQ, words with multiple meanings, the need for culturally appropriate portion-size prompts, and the telephone survey as a Western concept. This research highlights the importance of investing resources to develop culturally relevant dietary assessment tools that ensure dietary assessment accuracy and, more important, reduce ethnocentric biases in food and nutrition research and practice. The transferability of findings must be established through further research.

Estimates of Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Childhood and Adult Dietary Behaviors of African American Women

Objective This exploratory study examined how estimates of one's fruit and vegetable intake in childhood are related to 3 current dietary behaviors among African American women: intake of fruits and vegetables, exposure to and preference for fruits and vegetables, and preference for trying new foods. Design Baseline data from a randomized dietary intervention trial. Setting Ten urban public health centers in St. Louis, Missouri. Participants 1227 African American women. Variables Measured A 33-item fruit and vegetable food frequency questionnaire, items measuring estimates of childhood fruit and vegetable intake, adult fruit and vegetable intake, exposure to and preference for fruit and vegetable, and preference for trying new foods. Analysis Linear regression evaluated the association between predictors and continuous measures; logistic regression determined the association between predictors and categorical measures. Results Estimates of one's vegetable intake as a child were significantly related to exposure and preference for both fruits and vegetables, trying of new foods, and intake of both fruits and vegetables in adulthood. Estimates of eating fruit as a child were not significantly associated with these adult dietary behaviors. Conclusions and Implications Developmental influences on adult dietary patterns may be stronger for vegetables than fruits among African American women. Additional emphasis is needed regarding exposure to and preference for vegetable intake in childhood.

Parents Are Accurate Reporters of Their Preschoolers' Fruit and Vegetable Consumption under Limited Conditions

Objective To assess the accuracy of parents as reporters of both their own and their 2- to 5-year-old children's fruit and vegetable intake. Design Observational study with a 1-meal intake assessment by an independent observer, followed by a telephone survey to determine the previous day's consumption using a 29-item fruit, juice, and vegetable food frequency questionnaire. Setting Two separate meal assessments in community-based settings. Participants A convenience sample of 61 parent-child dyads from Eastern Missouri was recruited from a school health fair and the Parents as Teachers program. The mean age of the parents was 31.1 years, and 91% were female. The mean age for children was 39.0 months, and 60% were female. Variables Measured Parent and child fruit and vegetable intake. Analysis Interobserver agreement using a kappa statistic. Results Parents accurately reported their children's intake on most fruits and vegetables (kappa = 0.59-0.61). Parents were the least accurate in recalling the consumption of raisins from oatmeal cookies (kappa = 0.05) and 100% juice (kappa = 0.17). Conclusions and Implications Parents can serve as accurate proxies to report fruit and vegetable consumption by their preschoolers on a food frequency questionnaire used to determine intake for the previous day. This can be a helpful evaluation method for research involving young children.

Comparison of Standard and Portion-Assisted Responses to a Brief Fruit and Vegetable Food Frequency Questionnaire in a Hispanic WIC Population

Comparison of Standard and Portion-Assisted Responses to a Brief Fruit and Vegetable Food Frequency Questionnaire in a Hispanic WIC Population

Low Validity of a Seven-Item Fruit and Vegetable Food Frequency Questionnaire Among Third-Grade Students

Low Validity of a Seven-Item Fruit and Vegetable Food Frequency Questionnaire Among Third-Grade Students