Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Preferences Associated with the Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program (2014–2016)
Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
7 February 2019
Abstract
Purpose: To examine overall usual fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and preferences among grade 5–8 students participating in the Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program (NFVP) over 3 years (2014–2016).
Methods: In each year, a survey was administered 4 months into the NFVP in Northern Ontario, Canada.
Results: A total of 4744 students participated (2014 = 1551; 2015 = 1617; 2016 = 1576). Overall usual FV intake did not change over the 3 years, yet preferences generally increased. FVs offered by the NFVP were rated higher on preference than those not offered (fruit P < 0.001; vegetables P < 0.005). In each year, participants were more likely to consume a higher overall usual fruit intake if they had higher preference for fruit as offered by the NFVP (all P < 0.05) as opposed to not offered by the NFVP (all P > 0.05). For vegetables, participants were more likely to consume higher overall usual vegetables if they had a higher preference for vegetables as offered (all P < 0.05) and not offered by the NFVP (all P < 0.05).
Conclusions: This study documented that higher preferences for fruit (as offered) and vegetables (as offered and not offered) were associated with higher overall usual FV intakes within each of the 3 years.
Résumé
Objectif. Examiner la consommation globale habituelle de fruits et légumes (FL) et les préférences chez des élèves de la 5e à la 8e année participant au programme Distribution de fruits et de légumes dans le nord de l’Ontario (DFLNO) sur 3 ans (2014–2016).
Méthodes. Chaque année, un sondage a été mené 4 mois après le début du DFLNO.
Résultats. Au total, 4744 élèves ont participé (2014 = 1551; 2015 = 1617; 2016 = 1576). Dans l’ensemble, la consommation habituelle de FL n’a pas changé au cours des 3 années, mais les préférences ont généralement augmenté. La préférence était plus grande pour les FL offerts dans le cadre du DFLNO que pour les autres FL (P fruits < 0,001; P légumes < 0,005). Chaque année, les participants étaient plus susceptibles de consommer une plus grande quantité globale de fruits s’ils préféraient les fruits offerts (tous, P < 0,05) vs non offerts dans le cadre du DFLNO (tous, P > 0,05). En ce qui concerne les légumes, les participants étaient plus susceptibles de consommer une plus grande quantité globale de légumes, peu importe s’ils préféraient les légumes offerts (tous, P < 0,05) ou ceux non offerts dans le cadre du DFLNO (tous, P < 0,05).
Conclusions. Cette étude a démontré qu’une plus grande préférence pour les fruits (offerts) et les légumes (offerts et non offerts) était associée à une consommation globale habituelle plus élevée de FL au cours de chacune des 3 années de l’étude.
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Financial support: A research contract was provided to the author from the Algoma, Porcupine, and Sudbury Public Health Units.
Conflict of interest: The author declares that they have no competing interests.
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Published In
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 80 • Number 2 • June 2019
Pages: 72 - 78
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Version of record online: 7 February 2019
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© 2019.
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Sarah J. Woodruff PhD. 2019. Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Preferences Associated with the Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program (2014–2016). Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research.
80(2): 72-78. https://doi.org/10.3148/cjdpr-2018-042
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