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Patterns of sociodemographic and food practice characteristics in relation to fruit and vegetable consumption in children: results from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme (2008–2010)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 August 2013

Tsz N Mak*
Affiliation:
MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, 120 Fulbourn Road, Cambridge CB1 9NL, UK
Celia J Prynne
Affiliation:
MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, 120 Fulbourn Road, Cambridge CB1 9NL, UK
Darren Cole
Affiliation:
MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, 120 Fulbourn Road, Cambridge CB1 9NL, UK
Emily Fitt
Affiliation:
MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, 120 Fulbourn Road, Cambridge CB1 9NL, UK
Beverley Bates
Affiliation:
National Centre for Social Research, London, UK
Alison M Stephen
Affiliation:
MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, 120 Fulbourn Road, Cambridge CB1 9NL, UK
*
*Corresponding author: Email tszningmak@googlemail.com
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Abstract

Objective

Few studies have considered the combined effects of home-related determinants on children's diet. The present study investigated independent associations between sociodemographic and food practice (SFP) characteristics and fruit and vegetable consumption in UK children and the combined effects of SFP on consumption using pattern analysis.

Design

Diet was assessed using 4 d food diaries, SFP were collected using computer-assisted personal interview. Linear regressions were used to test associations; principal component analysis was used to identify patterns of SFP characteristics. Regression of fruit (g/d) and vegetables (g/d) v. component scores of each pattern were performed.

Setting

UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme (2008–2010).

Subjects

Children aged 1·5–10 years (n 642).

Results

Significant associations were found between fruit and vegetable consumption and household socio-economic status. Pattern 1, which was positively correlated with household structure characteristics, was associated with increased fruit consumption (P < 0·001). Pattern 2, characterised by positive correlations for socio-economic status, fruit availability and organic food purchase, and negatively correlated with household size and the number of children per household, was associated with higher fruit and vegetable consumption (both P < 0·001). Pattern 3, characterised by high frequency of eating out and eating takeaway, was associated with a lower consumption of both fruit (P < 0·012) and vegetables (P < 0·023).

Conclusions

Patterns of SFP determinants may be more informative than individual characteristics in relation to dietary outcomes. Results have public health implications on the healthfulness of meals eaten out of home and in takeaways, as well as the need to reduce diet inequality in larger households with lower socio-economic status.

Information

Type
HOT TOPIC – Fruits and vegetables
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2013 
Figure 0

Table 1 Characteristics of the sample population: children (n 642) aged 1·5–10 years, UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme (2008–2010)

Figure 1

Table 2 Associations between NSSEC5 and SFP characteristics: children (n 642) aged 1·5–10 years, UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme (2008–2010)

Figure 2

Table 3 Independent associations between sociodemographic characteristics and FV consumption: children (n 642) aged 1·5–10 years, UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme (2008–2010)

Figure 3

Table 4 Independent associations between food practice characteristics and FV consumption: children (n 642) aged 1·5–10 years, UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme (2008–2010)

Figure 4

Table 5 Eigenvalues, percentage of variance and the component loadings for the three patterns retained

Figure 5

Table 6 Regression of pattern scores for patterns 1, 2 and 3 on fruit consumption (g/d) and vegetable consumption (g/d): children (n 642) aged 1·5–10 years, UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme (2008–2010)