Lifestyle factors affecting fruit and vegetable consumption in the UK Women's Cohort Study

Appetite ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennie Pollard ◽  
Darren Greenwood ◽  
Sara Kirk ◽  
Janet Cade
2002 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennie Pollard ◽  
Darren Greenwood ◽  
Sara Kirk ◽  
Janet Cade

Abstract:Background: Despite recommendations to increase fruit and vegetable consumption within the UK population, intakes are still too low. In order to stimulate dietary behaviour change the determinants of food choice need to be explored.Objectives:To investigate how the priorities of high consumers of fruit and vegetables differ from those of low consumers, with respect to food choice motivations, and to identify what value high and low consumers place on different aspects of food choice behaviour.Design:A 4-day food diary and a questionnaire, including The Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ) and a measure of Stage of Change (SOC) for fruit and vegetable consumption, were administered to subjects. Motivation scores from the FCQ were compared with fruit and vegetable intake and SOC data.Subjects:Nine hundred and ninety-eight females, aged 35–69 years, participating in the UK Women's Cohort Study.Results:In a multiple linear regression model, including age, education level and all FCQ motivations, the strongest motivations specifically affecting fruit and vegetable intake were health and natural content. It was found that, for a one point increase (measured on a scale of 0–4) in health and natural content scores, fruit and vegetable consumption increased by 1.11 portions (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5–1.7) and 0.84 portions (95% CI 0.4–1.3), respectively (P>0.01). The SOC evaluation showed significant associations with portions of fruit and vegetables consumed (P>0.01). Women whose SOC was classed as maintenance phase were found to score higher on health, natural content, weight control and ethical concern factors (P>0.01). These women also scored lower on convenience questions (P>0.01).Conclusion:In this particular group of women the most important motivating factors for food choice, within the high fruit and vegetable consumers, were health and natural content of the food.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bozena Wielgoszewska ◽  
Jane Maddock ◽  
Michael J Green ◽  
Giorgio Di Gessa ◽  
Sam Parsons ◽  
...  

Background: In March 2020 the UK implemented the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) to minimize job losses. Our aim was to investigate associations between furlough and diet, physical activity, and sleep during the early stages of the pandemic. Methods: We analysed data from 25,092 participants aged 16 to 66 years from eight UK longitudinal studies. Changes in employment (including being furloughed) were defined by comparing employment status pre- and during the first lockdown. Health behaviours included fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, and sleeping patterns. Study-specific estimates obtained using modified Poisson regression, adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics and pre-pandemic health and health behaviours, were statistically pooled. Associations were also stratified by sex, age, and education. Findings: Across studies, between 8 and 25% of participants were furloughed. Compared to those who remained working, furloughed workers were slightly less likely to be physically inactive (RRR:0.85, [0.75-0.97], I2=58.7%) and did not differ in diet and sleep behaviours. In stratified analyses, furlough was associated with low fruit and vegetable consumption among males (RRR=1.11; 95%CI: 1.01-1.22; I2: 0%) but not females (RRR=0.84; 95%CI: 0.68-1.04; I2: 65%). Considering change in behaviour, furloughed workers were more likely than those who remained working to report increased fruit and vegetable consumption, exercise, and hours of sleep. Interpretation: Those furloughed exhibited broadly similar levels of health behaviours with those who remained in employment during the initial stages of the pandemic. Social protection policies in the post-pandemic recovery period and during future economic crises may help protect population health. Funding: Medical Research Council.


2005 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuki Sato ◽  
Yoshitaka Tsubono ◽  
Naoki Nakaya ◽  
Keiko Ogawa ◽  
Kayoko Kurashima ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveAdequate fruit and vegetable intake has been suggested to protect against colorectal cancer. However, several recent prospective studies have reported no association. We therefore examined the association between fruit and vegetable intakes and the risk of colorectal cancer in a prospective cohort study in Japan.DesignBetween June and August 1990, 47 605 Japanese men and women completed a self-administered questionnaire, including a food-frequency questionnaire. We divided the subjects into quartiles based on their self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption. There were 165 colon cancer and 110 rectal cancer incidences identified during 7 years of follow-up, to the end of December 1997. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the relative risk (RR) of developing colorectal cancer according to the level of fruit and vegetable consumption, applying adjustments for potential confounders.ResultsNo statistically significant association was observed between fruit and vegetable consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer. The multivariate RR of colon cancer in the highest quartile of fruit and vegetable intake compared with the lowest was 1.13 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73–1.75), the RR for vegetables alone was 1.24 (95% CI 0.79–1.95) and that for fruit alone was 1.45 (95% CI 0.85–2.47). The corresponding multivariate RRs for rectal cancer were 1.12 (95% CI 0.67–1.89), 1.14 (95% CI 0.67–1.93) and 1.41 (95% CI 0.73–2.73).ConclusionsWe found no association between the consumption of fruit and vegetables and the risk of colorectal cancer among the Japanese population.


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