• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.130-138
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Low consumption of fruit and vegetable is frequently viewed as an important contributor to obesity risk. With increasing childhood obesity and relatively low fruit and vegetable consumption among Thai children, there is a need to identify the determinants of the intake to promote fruit and vegetable consumption effectively. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at two conveniently selected primary schools in Nakhon Pathom. A total of 609 students (grade 4-6) completed questionnaires on personal and environmental factors. Adequate fruit and vegetable intakes were defined as a minimum of three servings of fruit or vegetable daily, and adequate total intake as at least 6 serves of fruit and vegetable daily. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The proportion of children with a sufficient fruit and/or vegetable intakes was low. Covariates of child's personal and environmental factors showed significant associations with sufficient intakes of fruit and/or vegetable (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analyses showed that the following factors were positively related to sufficient intake of vegetable; lower grade, a positive attitude toward vegetable, and fruit availability at home; and that greater maternal education, a positive child's attitude toward vegetable, and fruit availability at home were significantly associated with sufficient consumption of fruits and total fruit and vegetable intake. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that personal factors like attitude toward vegetables and socio-environmental factors, such as, greater availability of fruits were significantly associated with sufficient fruit and vegetable consumption. The importance of environmental and personal factors to successful nutrition highlights the importance of involving parents and schools.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.307-315
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have shown an association between breastfeeding and higher fruit and vegetable consumption and the level of dietary variety in children. However, few studies have reported this association on the feeding characteristics. Therefore, this study examined the association of the feeding characteristics with the consumption of fruit and vegetable and dietary variety in children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study recruited 802 participants from their parents with information on their feeding, and 24-h dietary recall. The associations of the feeding characteristics with fruit and vegetable consumption and dietary variety score (DVS) were analyzed using a multiple logistic regression model. RESULTS: Compared to the feeding type of exclusive breastfed children, exclusive formula-fed children had a significant association with a lower DVS (odds ratio [OR], 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23-0.77). Fruit and vegetable consumption was classified into 6 groups: non-salted vegetables (NSV), salted vegetables (SV), fruit (F), total vegetables (TV), non-salted vegetables + fruit (NSVF), and total vegetables + fruit (TVF). According to the mean level of fruit and vegetable consumption, compared to the duration of total breastfeeding for 6 month or less, a greater duration of breastfeeding for 12 mon had a significant association with a higher intake of NSVF and TVF (OR, 1.85, 95% CI, 1.20-2.85 and OR, 1.89, 95% CI, 1.22-2.92). On the other hand, the early introduction of formula feeding for 4 mon had a significant association with a lower intake of F and NSVF (OR, 0.59, 95% CI, 0.38-0.91 and OR, 0.63, 95% CI, 0.40-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that breastfeeding is associated with higher fruit and vegetable consumption and dietary variety, whereas formula feeding is associated with lower fruit and vegetable consumption and dietary variety. Therefore, the feeding characteristics in infants may affect fruit and vegetable consumption and dietary variety in children.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.107-116
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• 2020

There is only limited evidence for the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and mental health in Korea. This study examined the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and mental health according to physical activity among Korean adult women. Based on data of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014-2016), a total of 5,332 participants were included in this analysis. With increasing fruits and vegetables consumption, the prevalence of depressive mood was significantly decreased (p for trend=0.0248). The prevalence of stress perception (p for trend=0.0422) and the prevalence of depressive mood (p for trend=0.0300) were decreased with increasing fruit consumption. The prevalence of depressive mood was significantly decreased when fruit and vegetable consumption (p for trend=0.0370) and fruit consumption (p for trend=0.0356) were increased for those Korean women with low intensity of physical activity. For the obesity group (Body mass index 25 kg/㎡), the prevalence of depressive mood was decreased with increasing fruit and vegetable consumption (p for trend=0.0111) and increasing fruit consumption (p for trend=0.0165). In conclusion, fruit and vegetable consumption were associated with mental health according to physical activity among Korean adult women. Further prospective studies are warranted to explore the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and mental health among Korean adult women.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.188-197
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to analyze daily kimchi, vegetable and fruit consumption by general characteristics and vegetable and fruit consumption from 1998 to 2012 by the Korean population based on the data of the KNHANES (Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey). SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study is based on the 1998-2012 KNHNES. Analysis data on 54,700 subjects aged 19 years and older were obtained from health behavior interviews and the 24-hour dietary recall method. RESULTS: Daily kimchi consumption and portion size of kimchi decreased significantly from 1998 to 2012 (adjusted P for trend < 0.0001). Meanwhile, daily consumption of both non-salted vegetable and fruit with and without kimchi did not significantly change between 1998 and 2012. Reduced consumption of kimchi, non-salted vegetable, and fruit was observed for both genders as well as daily meal episodes and cooking locations. Male and female subjects with insufficient non-salted vegetable and fruit intake were increased 1.4 times and 1.3 times, respectively, in 2012 than 1998. All subjects consumed at least 400 g/day of non-salted vegetable, fruit, and kimchi in each survey year, although they consumed insufficient amounts (< 400 g/day) of non-salted vegetable and fruit without kimchi. CONCLUSIONS: Since Koreans generally consume high amounts of fermented vegetables, including kimchi, total vegetables and fruit. Consumption of these foods by the Korean adult population reached 400 g, which is the recommended intake of the WCRF/AICR. Based on this result, it is necessary to promote consumption of kimchi in the Korean population and research the development of low sodium kimchi in the future.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.567-581
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• 2013

This study aimed to investigate fruit and vegetable consumption status of school children and adolescents and factors influencing their consumption from focus-group interviews with school nutrition teacher(s) and nutritionists. Most of all the evaluated fruit and vegetable intake levels of school children and adolescents was very low. They mentioned the intake of fruit and vegetable was similar between children and adolescents and boys tended to have less vegetable intake than girls. There was substantial difference in the serving frequencies of fruit between schools due to budgets. Fruit was consumed more than vegetables and fruit without seeds or peeled fruit was more preferred by children and adolescents. Factors affecting fruit and vegetable intake of children and adolescents were analysed by personal, family and school. Personal factors were gender, child development level, the lack of knowledge or perception on vegetables, westernized diet pattern and the preference of spicy foods. Family factors were the perception of parents, family meal environment, and income disparity. The factors related to schools were the principal, class teacher, friends, nutrition teacher, cooking and serving methods, cooking personals, budget and so on.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.406-415
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the association of fruit and vegetable consumption with asthma in Korean adults. Methods: Data on 16,528 adults aged 19-64 were collected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The general characteristics of the subjects, daily food intake, and daily energy and nutrients intake were investigated according to fruit and vegetable consumption. All statistical analyses were conducted based on SAS software version 9.4. Results: The prevalence of doctor-diagnosed asthma was 2.6%, and ranged between 1.8% and 3.1% depending on fruit and vegetable consumption. As fruit and vegetable consumption increased, the individuals showed a higher average age and household income, but a lower educational level, smoking rate, and frequency of alcohol consumption. The group with higher fruit and vegetable consumption had higher intakes of all food groups without milk and dairy products and energy and nutrients than the counterpart group. For the intake rate of energy, the group with higher consumption of fruit and vegetables had a higher intake rate of carbohydrate and protein and a lower intake rate of fat. The risk rate of asthma with the third quartile group regarding fruit and vegetable consumption was 35%-40% lower than that of the first quartile group. Conclusion: The results suggest that adequate consumption of fruit and vegetable will help to improve the risk of asthma. Moreover, prospective cohort studies and clinical test research are necessary to measure the effects of fruit and vegetable consumption on the occurrence of asthma.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.235-247
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruits in Mexico remains a challenge. Promoting sustainable food production systems through schools may be an effective way to educate young people about food and nutrition issues. A study of nutritional education in adolescents, based on the school garden, is necessary in order to evaluate its effects on the consumption of fruits and vegetables among middle- and upper-income segments of the population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention, accompanied by a school garden as an educational teaching tool, to improve vegetable and fruit consumption by Mexican teenagers attending a private middle/high school. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Teenagers between 12 and 18 years of age (n = 126) attending a private middle/high school in Queretaro, Mexico participated in a 3-arm, controlled, comparative impact study using a vegetable and fruit consumption frequency questionnaire, food consumption diaries, a psychosocial factor assessment questionnaire of vegetable and fruit consumption, and structured interviews. The participants were randomized into 3 experimental groups: 1) food education + school garden (FE + SG), 2) FE only, and 3) control group (CG). RESULTS: The FE + SG and FE groups significantly increased the frequency and daily intake of vegetables and fruits compared to the CG. The FE + SG group showed greater understanding of, reflection upon, and analysis of the information they received about vegetable and fruit consumption, as well as a greater willingness to include these in their daily diet. CONCLUSIONS: FE accompanied by a SG as a teaching tool is more effective at promoting vegetable and fruit consumption than either education alone or control in teenagers in middle-upper income segments of the population.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.3-11
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• 2004

An increasing number of women are becoming victims of their smoking habits. Cigarette smoking is implicated as a major cause or several chronic diseases. This study was performed to investigate the nutritional status associated with smoking and other factors like drinking or fruit and vegetable consumption frequency in Korean adult women. The 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey provided the current adult women sample (n = 2900), who were categorized as smoking (n= 141) and nonsmoking group (n = 2759). The smoking women declared significantly lower intakes of carbohydrate, calcium and vitamin C and higher alcohol than nonsmokers, but with nonsignificant difference of BMI. The smoking and drinking group showed the lowest intakes in most of the nutrients, the lowest BMI and significantly elevated blood pressure. The smoking group with fruit and vegetable consumption frequency less than 3 times a day also showed lower intakes of most of the nutrients and significantly higher systolic blood pressure. Less proportion of smokers perceived their health status very good or good and more smokers felt depressed often. In conclusion it seems cigarette smoking is associated with the decreased nutrient intakes in adults women. When smoking is connected with other unhealthy dietary habits like drinking or lower fruit and vegetable consumption, it may exacerbate the nutritional status and cause elevated blood pressure.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5223-5227
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• 2014

Background: Findings of epidemiologic studies on the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and prostate cancer (PCa) risk have been inconclusive. We therefore examined the association between intake of fruits and vegetables and PCa risk in Iran. Materials and Methods: In this hospital based, case-control study, a total of 50 patients with PCa and 100 controls underwent face-to-face interviews. Regression analysis was used to examine the relation between fruit and vegetable intake and PCa risk. Results: A protective independent effect was observed for the highest tertile of total fruit and vegetable (OR: 0.33, CI: 0.04-0.30, p value<0.001), total fruit (OR: 0.30, CI: 0.06-0.4, p value=0.03) and total vegetable (OR: 0.31, CI: 0.02-0.21, p value<0.001) consumption. Within the group of fruits, a significant inverse association was observed for apple and pomegranate (p trends were 0.01 and 0.016, respectively). In the vegetable group, a significant inverse association was observed for tomatoes (p trend<0.001) and cabbage (p trend=0.021). Conclusions: The results of the present study suggested that fruits and vegetable intake might be negatively associated with PCa risk.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.263-269
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• 2012

We investigated whether socioeconomic differences affect fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption with respect to total intake and intake of various FV subgroups. Our study included 6667 adults aged 40-64 years who completed a dietary survey in the fourth Korean NHANES (2007-2009). FV intake was estimated from 24-hour recalls and food frequency questionnaires. Differences in FV consumption related to educational attainment were analyzed according to different nutritional categories of FV. Both men and women in the low-education group had the lowest intake of total FV and total fruits, and women also had the lowest intake of total vegetables. Also lowest in this group was consumption of mushrooms and vegetables (excluding kimchi) among men, and cruciferous and allium vegetables (excluding Chinese cabbage and radish) among women, while kimchi consumption was the highest in this group. Additionally, an association between educational level and intake of citrus fruits was evident among men. Adults in the low-education group consumed less carotene-rich FV, red fruit and/or vegetables, and dark-green leafy vegetables, fewer total vegetable dishes, and fewer types of fruit than in other groups. Men in this group had the lowest intake of yellow/orange fruit and/or vegetables, and women consumed the least folate-rich FV. There is a clear association between educational attainment and FV intake with regard to total intake, and to specific nutrients, bioactive compounds, colors, and variety.