Many factors affect fruit and vegetable consumption and these have been explored extensively by quantitative methods. Systematic reviews of quantitative research on fruit and vegetables consumption have collated psychological factors in adults, concluding that self efficacy, social support and knowledge are important behaviour predictors⁽Reference Shaikh, Yaroch and Nebeling¹⁾. While, another found behaviour was predicted by habit, motivation and goals, self-efficacy, knowledge and taste⁽Reference Guillaumie, Godin and Vezina-Im²⁾. A review of environmental factors showed the impact of income on consumption⁽Reference Kamphuis, Giskes and de Bruijn³⁾. To date only one review has included qualitative research of studies on children and adults finding availability of fruit and vegetables was important⁽Reference Jago, Baronowski and Baronowski⁴⁾.

A qualitative research synthesis was conducted on studies researching fruit and vegetable consumption in adults to evaluate the drivers and barriers that impact on fruit and vegetable consumption in adults. The synthesis was conducted on fifty-six studies. Data extraction was conducted with thematic analysis due to its flexibility for various methods and philosophical approaches⁽Reference Braun and Clarke⁵⁾. Categories were developed from the data and sectioned into the biopsychosocial model⁽Reference Engel⁶⁾. More barriers were present in the biological section for taste, texture and satiety. For psychological factors drivers were health (specific, general, health of others), habit, meaningful events to the self and nutrition information, while barriers were time, effort, knowledge of fruit and vegetables, cooking skills, preference, mood, attitude and self-efficacy. Social drivers included having a garden, childhood experiences, women as gatekeepers, tradition, support of peers and information, while barriers were cost, availability, family preferences, access, waste and quality.

These data provide an overview of qualitative research showing complex constructs operate within fruit and vegetable consumption. Findings differ from the results of quantitative systematic reviews, offering greater and richer understanding of drivers and barriers that could be used to improve the development of interventions to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and subsequent health of the population.