Seasonal variation in fresh fruit consumption: insights from the Sukoyaka health survey 2019–2020 in Japan

Low fruit intake is a major dietary risk factor for non-communicable diseases worldwide. However, fruit consumption among Japanese adults has consistently remained below national recommendations. This study aimed to clarify seasonal variations in fruit, particularly fresh fruit, consumption to inform the development of strategies that promote adequate fruit intake. We used secondary data obtained from the Sukoyaka Health Survey which was conducted in two municipalities in Hokkaido and Tokyo in 2019 and expanded to include Kyoto, Nagasaki, and Miyazaki prefectures in 2020. Dietary data were obtained from 1037 Japanese adults aged 20–79 years using single-day dietary records conducted twice during the summer and autumn–winter. Participants consumed more fruit in autumn-winter than in summer: the median intakes of total fruits and fresh fruits were 50.0 g/day (interquartile range [IQR], 0.0-127.6) in summer and 61.0 g/day (IQR, 0.0-136.0) in autumn-winter. Of them, fresh fruit intakes were 42.0 (IQR, 0.0-109.0) g/day in summer and 60.0 g/day (IQR, 0.0-127.5) in autumn-winter. Approximately 70% of the participants consumed < 100 g/day or none at all. Fresh fruit intakes were higher in older adults than younger adults both seasons (p < 0.001 for both seasons). The consumer proportion was relatively unaffected by season for banana (24% vs. 22% in summer and autumn-winter), whereas intake of apples (8% vs. 21%) and citrus fruits (9% vs. 26%) differed between the summer and autumn–winter seasons. Total fruit and fresh fruit intakes are higher during autumn–winter than during summer among Japanese adults. This difference may be attributed to the large influence of fruits harvested during the autumn-winter season. Further studies are needed to clarify the reasons behind the seasonal variations in intake pattern.