DOES FRUIT AND VEGETABLE INTAKE DIFFER IN ADULT FEMALES AND MALES IN ISFAHAN?

• Main Authors: Nooshin Mohammadifard, Nasrin Omidvar, Anahita Hoshiar Rad, Maryam Maghroon, Firoozeh Sajjadi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vesnu Publications 2010-12-01
• Series: ARYA Atherosclerosis
• Online Access: http://arya.mui.ac.ir/index.php/arya/article/view/180
• ISSN: 1735-3955; 2251-6638

<p>Abstract<br />INTRODUCTION: Adequate intake of fruits and vegetables (at least five servings a day) is<br />recommended as a nutritional behavior of great importance in prevention of chronic<br />diseases. This study aimed to compare the intake of fruits and vegetables in adult males<br />and females of Isfahan and to assess its association with personal and demographic factors,<br />as well as seasons.<br />METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 123 healthy adults (64 males<br />and 59 females) during the cold season (fall and winter) and warm seasons (spring and<br />summer). Study samples were aged 30 to 60 years and were residents of Isfahan. Fruit and<br />vegetable consumption was assessed using a 110-item semi-quantitative food frequency<br />questionnaire on fruits and vegetables. Validity of the questionnaire was evaluated in a pilot<br />study through comparison with two 24-hour food recalls and four food diaries. Mean<br />consumption of fruits and vegetables was analyzed in males and females, as well as in age<br />and educational groups. The relationship between the amount of fruit and vegetable<br />consumption and different factors including age, sex, level of education and occupation was<br />determined through stepwise linear regression.<br />RESULTS: Mean fruit consumption in men and women in cold seasons was 275.3&plusmn;100.8<br />and 234.5&plusmn;116.5 grams per day, respectively (P&lt;0.05), and in warm seasons 217.6&plusmn;95.5<br />and 185.3&plusmn;77.1 grams per day, respectively (P&lt;0.05). Vegetable consumption in men and<br />women in cold seasons was 291.5&plusmn;93.5 and 245.7&plusmn;76.6 grams per day, respectively<br />(P&lt;0.05) and in warm season 197&plusmn;76.3 and 166.4&plusmn;60.7 grams per day, respectively<br />(P&lt;0.05). The proportion of men who consumed more than 5 servings of fruits and<br />vegetables in a day was significantly greater than women (P&lt;0.05). Fruit and vegetable<br />intake in men educated below junior school and high school was significantly higher than in<br />their female counterparts (P&lt;0.05). Fruit and vegetable intake in single men was<br />significantly lower than in their female counterparts (P&lt;0.05).<br />DISCUSSION: The findings show the effectiveness of social and cultural factors on the<br />pattern of fruit and vegetable intake.</p><p>Keywords &bull; Fruits &bull; Vegetables &bull; Gender &bull; Adults &bull; Isfahan &bull; Food frequency questionnaire</p>