Associations between self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption and home availability of fruit and vegetables among Greek primary-school children

Abstract

Objective: To examine whether the self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption of Greek primary-school children is associated with the home availability of fruit and vegetables.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Five primary schools in the city of Pyrgos in south-west Greece.

Subjects: One hundred and sixty-seven students in fifth and sixth grades.

Methods: Fruit and vegetable consumption was assessed using an FFQ. Home availability of fruit and vegetables was assessed using a modified version of a US home availability questionnaire. Participant BMI was assessed and parental education obtained by self-report. Hierarchical regression models that took account of the clustering of participants in schools were used to examine the relationship between consumption and availability after controlling for parental education and BMI.

Results: Regression analyses showed that home availability of fruit was a significant predictor of consumption (beta=0.524, Z=9.77, P<0.001) in a model that explained 46 % of the overall variance. Home availability of vegetables was a significant predictor of vegetable intake (beta=0.378, Z=6.23, P<0.001) in a model that explained 29 % of the overall variance.

Conclusion: Home availability of fruit and vegetables was associated with consumption among Greek primary-school children. The association between home availability of fruit and intake was higher than the associations that have been reported in other samples. Results support focusing on the home availability of fruit and vegetables as a potential mediator of consumption that could be manipulated as a means of increasing fruit and vegetable intake among children.