BACKGROUND: During the transition from adolescence to young adulthood, the intake of fruit and vegetables tends to decline, and national survey data indicate that few young adults consume the recommended amounts. This study aimed to identify longitudinal correlates of follow-up fruit and vegetable intake in early young adulthood. METHODS: Surveys and food frequency questionnaires were completed by 1495 adolescent participants in high school classrooms at baseline (in 1998-1999; mean age=15.9 years, SD=0.8) and by mail at follow-up (in 2003-2004; mean age=20.4 years, SD=0.8). In 2007, linear regression methods were used to identify baseline factors associated with follow-up fruit and vegetable intake. RESULTS: Baseline taste preferences, perceived benefits of healthy eating, fast-food intake, time spent watching television, family-meal frequency, and home food availability were correlates of both fruit and vegetable intake during young adulthood across gender. After adjusting for baseline intake, the only correlate of both fruit and vegetable intake during young adulthood across gender was taste preferences. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that nutrition interventions for adolescents should provide opportunities for them to taste more fruit and vegetables, and should address supports for healthy eating both within and outside the home environment.
BACKGROUND: During the transition from adolescence to young adulthood, the intake of fruit and vegetables tends to decline, and national survey data indicate that few young adults consume the recommended amounts. This study aimed to identify longitudinal correlates of follow-up fruit and vegetable intake in early young adulthood. METHODS: Surveys and food frequency questionnaires were completed by 1495 adolescent participants in high school classrooms at baseline (in 1998-1999; mean age=15.9 years, SD=0.8) and by mail at follow-up (in 2003-2004; mean age=20.4 years, SD=0.8). In 2007, linear regression methods were used to identify baseline factors associated with follow-up fruit and vegetable intake. RESULTS: Baseline taste preferences, perceived benefits of healthy eating, fast-food intake, time spent watching television, family-meal frequency, and home food availability were correlates of both fruit and vegetable intake during young adulthood across gender. After adjusting for baseline intake, the only correlate of both fruit and vegetable intake during young adulthood across gender was taste preferences. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that nutrition interventions for adolescents should provide opportunities for them to taste more fruit and vegetables, and should address supports for healthy eating both within and outside the home environment.
Authors: Camilla C P Estima; Meg Bruening; Peter J Hannan; Marle S Alvarenga; Greisse V S Leal; Sonia T Philippi; Dianne Neumark-Sztainer Journal: J Nutr Educ Behav Date: 2014-03-20 Impact factor: 3.045
Authors: Nicole A VanKim; Darin J Erickson; Marla E Eisenberg; Katherine Lust; B R Simon Rosser; Melissa N Laska Journal: Health Behav Policy Rev Date: 2014-03-01
Authors: Jerica M Berge; Richard F MacLehose; Katie A Loth; Marla E Eisenberg; Jayne A Fulkerson; Dianne Neumark-Sztainer Journal: Appetite Date: 2012-03-14 Impact factor: 3.868
Authors: Jerica M Berge; Richard F MacLehose; Katie A Loth; Marla E Eisenberg; Jayne A Fulkerson; Dianne Neumark-Sztainer Journal: J Behav Med Date: 2014-07-06
Authors: Jerica M Berge; Kimberly P Truesdale; Nancy E Sherwood; Nathan Mitchell; William J Heerman; Shari Barkin; Donna Matheson; Carolyn E Levers-Landis; Simone A French Journal: Public Health Nutr Date: 2017-09-14 Impact factor: 4.022
Authors: Melissa C Nelson; Nicole I Larson; Daheia Barr-Anderson; Dianne Neumark-Sztainer; Mary Story Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2009-05-14 Impact factor: 9.308