Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the quality of the current intakes of fruits
and vegetables compared to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans in US children and adolescents and identify factors related to low fruit and vegetable
intake. This descriptive study examined differences in fruit and vegetable intakes
by age, sex, ethnicity, poverty level, body mass index, and food security status utilizing
data from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Six thousand
five hundred thirteen children and adolescents ages 2 to 18 years, who were respondents
to the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Mean fruit and
vegetable intakes were computed using 24-hour recalls for individuals and compared
using analysis of variance. Leading contributors to fruit and vegetable intake were
identified using frequency analysis. Children aged 2 to 5 years had significantly
higher total fruit and juice intakes than 6- to 11- and 12- to 18-year-olds. Total
vegetable and french fry intake was significantly higher among 12- to 18-year-old
adolescents. Regarding sex differences, boys consumed significantly more fruit juice
and french fries than girls. In addition, non-Hispanic African-American children and
adolescents consumed significantly more dark-green vegetables and fewer mean deep-yellow
vegetables than Mexican-American and non-Hispanic white children and adolescents.
Total fruit consumption also differed significantly among race/ethnicities and household
income. Children and adolescents most at risk for higher intakes of energy-dense fruits
and vegetables (fruit juice and french fries) were generally boys, and adolescents,
at risk for overweight or overweight and living in households below 350% of the poverty
level.
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Biography
B. A. Lorson is a registered dietitian, The Ohio State University, Columbus
Biography
H. R. Melgar-Quinonez is an assistant professor, Department of Human Nutrition, The Ohio State University, Columbus
Biography
C. A. Taylor is an assistant professor, Division of Medical Dietetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus
Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
August 18,
2008
Identification
Copyright
© 2009 American Dietetic Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
