Appetite. 2016 May 1;100:94-101. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2016.02.002. Epub 2016 Feb 2.
- 1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Concordia College, 901 8th Street South, Moorhead, MN, 56562, USA. Electronic address: wagner@cord.edu.
- 2Department
of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences, North Dakota State
University, Department 2620, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND, 58108-6050, USA.
Electronic address: yeong.rhee@ndsu.edu.
- 3Department
of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences, North Dakota State
University, Department 2620, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND, 58108-6050, USA.
Electronic address: kerrie.hert@ndsu.edu.
- 4Department
of Human Development and Family Science, North Dakota State University,
Department 2615, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND, 58108-6050, USA. Electronic
address: elizabeth.salafia@ndsu.edu.
- 5Department of
Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences, North Dakota State University,
Department 2620, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND, 58108-6050, USA. Electronic
address: d.terbizan@ndsu.edu.
Abstract
Despite
the benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption on weight and decreased
risk for chronic disease, Americans' intake of fruits and vegetables is
well below the recommended daily servings. While previous studies have
assessed fruit and vegetable consumption and the influence of
educational interventions on fruit and vegetable intake, no studies to
date have examined the effects of nutrition education combined with
provision of fruits and vegetables on changes in fruit and vegetable
consumption among overweight and obese adults. The objectives of this
study were to evaluate fruit and vegetable consumption patterns,
including intake of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, provide
education about benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables, expose
participants to different varieties of fruits and vegetables, and
improve fruit and vegetable consumption. Fifty-four adults (19 men/35
women; 44.7 ± 12.1 y) were randomly assigned to one of three
intervention groups. The control group received no intervention, the
education group attended weekly nutrition lessons focused on benefits of
fruit and vegetable consumption, and the fruit and vegetable group
attended weekly nutrition lessons and received one serving of fruits and
two servings of vegetables per day for 10 weeks. Intake of fruits and
vegetables was assessed using semi-quantitative food frequency
questionnaires and three-day food records. Findings suggested that while
the majority of participants failed to consume the recommended number
of servings of fruits and vegetables per day, nutrition education was
helpful in improving the consumption frequency of antioxidant-rich
fruits and vegetables among overweight and obese adults.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
Chronic disease; Fruit; Obese; Overweight; Vegetable
