Fruit and Vegetable Intake Correlates During the Transition to Young Adulthood
published online 16 May 2008.
Background
During the transition from adolescence to young adulthood, the intake of fruit and vegetables tends to decline, and national survey data indicate that few young adults consume the recommended amounts. This study aimed to identify longitudinal correlates of follow-up fruit and vegetable intake in early young adulthood.
Methods
Surveys and food frequency questionnaires were completed by 1495 adolescent participants in high school classrooms at baseline (in 1998–1999; mean age=15.9 years, SD=0.8) and by mail at follow-up (in 2003–2004; mean age=20.4 years, SD=0.8). In 2007, linear regression methods were used to identify baseline factors associated with follow-up fruit and vegetable intake.
Results
Baseline taste preferences, perceived benefits of healthy eating, fast-food intake, time spent watching television, family-meal frequency, and home food availability were correlates of both fruit and vegetable intake during young adulthood across gender. After adjusting for baseline intake, the only correlate of both fruit and vegetable intake during young adulthood across gender was taste preferences.
Conclusions
The findings suggest that nutrition interventions for adolescents should provide opportunities for them to taste more fruit and vegetables, and should address supports for healthy eating both within and outside the home environment.
aDivision of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
bDivision of Biostatistics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
cDivision of Adolescent Health and Medicin, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Nicole I. Larson, PhD, MPH, RD, University of Minnesota, West Bank Office Building, Suite 300, 1300 South Second Street, Minneapolis MN 55454.
ABSTRACT