Lettuce Be Happy: The Effects of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption on Subjective Well-Being in the UK

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neel Ocean ◽  
Peter Howley ◽  
Jonathan Ensor
Keyword(s):  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
The Uk

Does subjective well-being predict health-enhancing behaviour? The example of fruit and vegetable consumption

2014 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 598-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Ding ◽  
Barbara Mullan ◽  
Kristina Xavier
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Behavioural Control ◽  
Positive Health Outcomes

Purpose – Adhering to the guidelines regarding the consumption of fruit and vegetables is associated with positive health outcomes. Subjective well-being has been demonstrated to have a causal influence on positive health outcomes. The aim of this paper is to examine whether subjective well-being could add to the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) in predicting fruit and vegetable consumption. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 72 undergraduates completed online measures of the TPB variables, subjective well-being components (happiness and life satisfaction) and fruit and vegetable consumption at a single time point. Findings – Subjective well-being made a significant contribution to the variance explained for both intention to consume fruit and vegetables and actual fruit and vegetable consumption (1.7% and 4.3%, respectively). Perceived behavioural control and happiness were found to be significant unique predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption. Originality/value – The TPB appears a useful model for predicting fruit and vegetable consumption, which is enhanced by the addition of subjective well-being variables. The current study provides direction to future interventions, suggesting that targeting perceived behavioural control and the subjective well-being component of happiness may be useful for improving fruit and vegetable consumption in young adults.

scholarly journals The UK Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and changes in diet, physical activity and sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from eight longitudinal studies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bozena Wielgoszewska ◽  
Jane Maddock ◽  
Michael J Green ◽  
Giorgio Di Gessa ◽  
Sam Parsons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Longitudinal Studies ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Job Retention ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
The Uk

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.

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
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Uk

scholarly journals Cross-sectional associations of schoolchildren’s fruit and vegetable consumption, and meal choices, with their mental well-being: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
pp. e000205
Author(s):  
Richard Hayhoe ◽  
Boika Rechel ◽  
Allan B Clark ◽  
Claire Gummerson ◽  
S J Louise Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mental Well Being

BackgroundPoor mental well-being is a major issue for young people and is likely to have long-term negative consequences. The contribution of nutrition is underexplored. We, therefore, investigated the association between dietary choices and mental well-being among schoolchildren.MethodsData from 7570 secondary school and 1253 primary school children in the Norfolk Children and Young People Health and Well-being Survey, open to all Norfolk schools during October 2017, were analysed. Multivariable linear regression was used to measure the association between nutritional factors and mental well-being assessed by the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale for secondary school pupils, or the Stirling Children’s Well-being Scale for primary school pupils. We adjusted all analyses for important covariates including demographic, health variables, living/home situation and adverse experience variables.ResultsIn secondary school analyses, a strong association between nutritional variables and well-being scores was apparent. Higher combined fruit and vegetable consumption was significantly associated with higher well-being: well-being scores were 3.73 (95% CI 2.94 to 4.53) units higher in those consuming five or more fruits and vegetables (p<0.001; n=1905) compared with none (n=739). The type of breakfast or lunch consumed was also associated with significant differences in well-being score. Compared with children consuming a conventional type of breakfast (n=5288), those not eating any breakfast had mean well-being scores 2.73 (95% CI 2.11 to 3.35) units lower (p<0.001; n=1129) and those consuming only an energy drink had well-being scores 3.14 (95% CI 1.20 to 5.09) units lower (p=0.002; n=91). Likewise, children not eating any lunch had well-being scores 2.95 (95% CI 2.22 to 3.68) units lower (p<0.001; 860) than those consuming a packed lunch (n=3744). In primary school analyses, the type of breakfast or lunch was associated with significant differences in well-being scores in a similar way to those seen in secondary school data, although no significant association with fruit and vegetable intake was evident.ConclusionThese findings suggest that public health strategies to optimise the mental well-being of children should include promotion of good nutrition.

scholarly journals “That is an Awful Lot of Fruit and Veg to Be Eating”. Focus Group Study on Motivations for the Consumption of 5 a Day in British Young Men

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Howard Wilsher ◽  
Andrew Fearne ◽  
Georgia Panagiotaki
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Behavioral Control ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Perceived Behavioral Control ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
The Uk

Young men do not consume enough fruit and vegetables, increasing their risk for future ill health. To understand what motivates their food choice, a novel conceptual framework that included key concepts from the theory of planned behavior and risk theory was developed. Thirty-four British men (18–24 years) took part in focus groups, where innovative visual qualitative methods provided insight into participants’ motivations for fruit and vegetable consumption. Based on information from food diaries, participants were described as high (4+ portions) or low (up to 3 portions) consumers. Interviews were coded thematically into concepts and characteristics of the conceptual framework. Young men were generally unaware of the UK government’s recommendation to consume 5 portions of fruit and vegetable a day and chronic health risks associated with low consumption. High consumers were motivated by perceived risk, perceived behavioral control, and health-conscious self-identity. They held internalized, holistic beliefs about diet and health, whereas low consumers’ beliefs were externalized, based on physical appearances. Low consumers were driven by social influences to consume cheap, easily available convenience foods. The conceptual framework differentiated levels of fruit and vegetable consumption between the two groups and provided new information about young men’s motivations for fruit and vegetable consumption.

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