Sociodemographic Determinants of Low Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Bangladeshi Adults: Results From WHO-STEPS Survey 2010

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate factors affecting fruit and vegetables (FAVs) intake among Bangladeshi adults. Dietary data of 9275 adults from the Bangladesh Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factor Survey 2010 were analyzed. The mean age of the respondents was 42.4 (±13.5) years. Multistage cluster sampling was applied to identify samples. Demographics, personal habits, physical activity, diet, and anthropometric data were collected using the WHO-STEPs questionnaire. Average daily intake of <5 servings of FAVs combined was considered to be low FAV consumption, and its prevalence was 82.8%. A mixed-effect logistic regression model was fitted to assess association of factors with low FAV intake. Higher educational attainment, greater wealth, female sex, low physical activity, body mass index >25 kg/m², and smokeless tobacco consumption were significantly associated with higher FAV consumption. Frequency of low FAV intake increased with increasing age and decreased with increasing educational attainment. Programs targeting people at risk of low FAV consumption are needed to promote consumption.

Keywords: Bangladeshi population; NCD and risk factors; diet; fruit intake; vegetables intake.

Figure 1

Distribution of low FAV consumption by key predictors: A. Level of education. B. Wealth quartile. C. Place of residence. D. Low physical activity. E. Smoking tobacco. F. Smokeless tobacco. G. Alcohol consumption. H. BMI. Abbreviation: FAV, fruit and vegetable; BMI, body mass index.