Fruit and Vegetable Consumption, and Physical Activity with Partner and Parental Status in African American Adults

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between partner and parental status and self-reported weekly fruit and vegetable consumption and level of physical activity in African American adults.

A national sample of 2,370 African Americans participated in a telephone survey. Demographic data were collected and compared with fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity responses.

When controlling for age (mean age = 53.6 ± 14.8 years) and education level, having children in the household was associated with greater fruit consumption. Being partnered was associated with moderate physical activity weekly for a higher percentage of women, and yet a shorter duration of minutes of moderate physical activity weekly for both women and men. Males (38.2% of the sample) reported being more physically active and females (61.8% of the sample) reported eating more fruits and vegetables.

By understanding the role of partner and parental status in relation to healthy lifestyle for African Americans, family scientists and health care practitioners may be able to target the needs of this population to help prevent obesity and chronic illness.