Obesity under full fresh fruit and vegetable access conditions
Andres Silva1, Pilar Jano2, Nicolás Von Hausen3
1Department of Economics, Government and Communication, Universidad Central de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Plos One
|April 21, 2021
Summary
Better access to fruits and vegetables does not reduce obesity rates. Educational level, not access, is more strongly linked to weight and body mass index, suggesting access is not the sole factor in fruit and vegetable consumption.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition science
- Public health
- Obesity research
Background:
- Disagreement exists on the impact of fruit and vegetable access on obesity.
- Previous studies have not definitively linked access to improved biometric indicators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between access to fresh fruits and vegetables and biometric indicators like weight and body mass index (BMI).
- To explore potential mediating factors in the access-obesity relationship.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mediation and matching methods.
- Assumed farmers and market sellers have inherent access to fresh produce.
- Analyzed associations between access, consumption, weight, and BMI.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between better access to fresh fruits and vegetables and reduced weight or BMI.
- Better access did not correlate with increased fruit and vegetable consumption.
- Fruit and vegetable consumption was not significantly associated with lower weight or BMI.
- Fruit and vegetable sellers exhibited higher weight and BMI compared to the general population but similar levels to those with equivalent education.
Conclusions:
- Educational level appears to be a stronger determinant of weight and BMI variations than access to fruits and vegetables.
- Access alone may not be sufficient to explain or influence fruit and vegetable consumption patterns or impact obesity rates.
- Further research is needed to understand the multifaceted factors influencing dietary choices and weight management.
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