Male sex (71.9% vs 66.9%) and incomplete secondary education (83% vs 72%) were significantly associated with failing to meet the minimum recommendation of 5 daily fruit and vegetable servings.
Cohort (n=8,949)
No
Do sociodemographic characteristics influence daily fruit and vegetable intake in patients with CVD enrolled in cardiovascular rehabilitation?
Most patients entering cardiovascular rehabilitation do not meet fruit and vegetable intake guidelines, with men and those with lower education levels at highest risk of poor dietary adherence.
valor p: p=<0.001
Abstract Background Nutritional counselling is a core component of exercise-based cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) and plays a key role in managing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Most guidelines recommend consuming at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day due to their well-known benefits in reducing the risk of various diseases, including cardiovascular conditions. Sociodemographic characteristics may influence dietary behaviours and contribute to variability in nutritional adherence. Purpose To assess the daily fruit and vegetable intake and its relationship with the sociodemographic profile of patients enrolled in CR. Methods Data on nutritional behaviour and sociodemographic characteristics were extracted from an observational, retrospective cohort study of patients with CVD enrolled in CR programmes at a large cardiovascular health centre in Canada between 2016 and 2025. Nutritional behaviour was assessed by the number of daily servings of fruits and vegetables reported at enrollment. Associations with age, gender, and education level (education data available up to 2020) were examined. Age was categorized as ≤44 years, 45–64 years, and ≥65 years. Education was classified as incomplete or complete secondary education. Chi-square analyses with post-hoc testing were used to compare the proportions across sociodemographic categories. Results This study included 8,949 participants (64±12 years; 31% women; 60.8% with coronary artery disease). Most patients (70.4%) did not meet the minimum recommendation of 5 servings per day. Age influenced nutritional behaviour (p0.001): fewer older adults (≥65 years) reported eating ≤2 servings (24%) compared to younger groups (30%), while a greater proportion of older adults consumed 3-4 servings (45% vs. 42% ≤44 years and 41% 45–64 years). However, no significant differences were observed between age groups regarding the minimum guideline. Compared to women (p0.001), more men reported eating ≤2 servings (29% vs. 23%), and fewer consumed 3-4 servings (43% vs. 44%). Overall, a greater proportion of men (71.9%) than women (66.9%) did not meet the guidelines. Education level also influenced intake (p0.001): patients with incomplete secondary education were more likely to consume ≤2 servings (43% vs. 28%) and less likely to consume 3-4 servings (41% vs. 44%) compared to those with complete secondary education. The proportion not meeting the guideline was higher among those with incomplete secondary education (83% vs. 72%; p0.001). Conclusion Most patients reported fruit and vegetable intake below recommended guidelines, and age, sex, and education level significantly influenced their nutritional patterns. Exploring these associations provides valuable insights for tailoring interventions and supporting lifestyle modification strategies to optimize patient outcomes.
Mistura et al. (Mon,) conducted a cohort in Cardiovascular disease (n=8,949). Sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex, education) was evaluated on Daily fruit and vegetable intake (p=<0.001). Male sex (71.9% vs 66.9%) and incomplete secondary education (83% vs 72%) were significantly associated with failing to meet the minimum recommendation of 5 daily fruit and vegetable servings.