Suboptimal Intake of Fruits and Vegetables in Nine Selected Countries of the World Health Organization European Region

Abstract

The objective of this study was to characterize fruit and vegetable consumption in 9 selected countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region. We analyzed data on fruit and vegetable intake and participant sociodemographic characteristics for 30,455 adults in 9 Eastern European and Central Asian countries via standardized STEPS survey methodology. Fruit and vegetable consumption across all countries was suboptimal, with a high percentage of populations not meeting the WHO-recommended intake of at least 5 servings (400 g) per day. Strengthened implementation of evidence-based policies to increase intake of fruit and vegetables is needed to reduce the burden of and disparities in NCDs.

Figure

National prevalence of daily servings of fruit and vegetables (0, 1-2, 3-4, ≥5), by education (A) and by receipt of advice from a health care professional to eat at least 5 daily servings of fruits or vegetables (B). Education level was determined by using national education categories mapped to UNESCO’s (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s) International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) (12). ISCED provides a comprehensive framework of uniform and internationally agreed definitions to facilitate comparisons of education systems across countries. Value in parentheses after country name is P value.