Fruit and vegetable consumption among Brazilian adults: trends from 2008 to 2023

Adequate fruit and vegetable consumption is recognized for its health benefits, including preventing noncommunicable diseases, therefore it should be monitored over the years. This study aimed to investigate the temporal trend of fruit and vegetable consumption among Brazilian adults (≥ 18 years) residing in 26 Brazilian capitals and the Federal District from 2008-2023. A time-series analysis of the Surveillance of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (Vigitel) was conducted. Regular (≥ 5 days/week) and recommended (≥ 5 servings/day on ≥ 5 days/week) fruit and vegetable consumption were analyzed for total population and sociodemographic groups. Prais-Winsten regression models were used to identify trends in the entire (2008-2023), initial (2008-2014) and most recent (2015-2023) periods. Regular and recommended consumption remained stable from 2008 to 2023. From 2008 to 2014, regular consumption increased in total population (0.71pp/year) and all sociodemographic groups, except for adults aged 25-34 years. From 2015 to 2023, regular consumption decreased in the total population (-0.56pp/year), mainly among men (-0.70pp/year), adults aged 25-34 years (-0.84pp/year), and with higher schooling (-0.96pp/year). The recommended consumption increased from 2008 to 2014 (0.81pp/year), mainly among women (0.90pp/year), adults aged 55-64 years (0.96pp/year), and those with higher schooling (0.77pp/year). The recommended consumption decreased from 2015 to 2023 in total population (-0.52pp/year) and all sociodemographic groups, except for men and adults aged ≥ 65 years. The Brazilian fruit and vegetable consumption increased from 2008 to 2014 but reduced recently (2015-2023).