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Fruit and vegetable intake correlates during the transition to young adulthood
Nicole I Larson1, Dianne R Neumark-Sztainer, Lisa J Harnack
1Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454, USA. larsonn@umn.edu
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|May 17, 2008
Summary
Young adults often eat fewer fruits and vegetables. Taste preferences are the strongest predictor of fruit and vegetable intake in young adulthood, highlighting the need for early taste exposure.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Epidemiology
- Adolescent and Young Adult Health
Background:
- Fruit and vegetable intake declines during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood.
- Few young adults meet recommended daily intake guidelines for fruits and vegetables.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify longitudinal correlates of fruit and vegetable intake in early young adulthood.
- To understand factors influencing dietary habits during a critical developmental period.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study with 1495 participants, surveyed in high school and again in young adulthood.
- Utilized surveys and food frequency questionnaires.
- Linear regression analysis identified baseline factors associated with follow-up intake.
Main Results:
- Baseline taste preferences, perceived benefits of healthy eating, fast-food intake, television viewing time, family meal frequency, and home food availability correlated with young adult fruit and vegetable intake.
- After adjusting for baseline intake, taste preferences emerged as the sole consistent correlate across genders.
Conclusions:
- Nutrition interventions for adolescents should prioritize opportunities for tasting fruits and vegetables.
- Interventions should address environmental supports for healthy eating both inside and outside the home.
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