Benefits and barriers to fruit and vegetable intake: relationship between attitudes and consumption

Consumption of fruits and vegetables is suggested to be beneficial in cancer prevention. However, surveys indicate that a large percentage of the population does not consume the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables. A mail survey was conducted in 1990 to examine attitudes toward nutrition and reported fruit and vegetable intake among randomly sampled Washington state residents (n = 1069; age range = 20–88 years). Individuals in low-income and low-education categories and males had significantly higher scores measuring barriers to fruit and vegetable intake compared to the highest income and education groups or females. All respondents had high nutrition concern despite income or education level. Nutrition behavior scores were significantly higher for individuals with high income. Results of the multiple regression analysis indicated that 16% of the variance in fruit and vegetable intake was accounted for by attitude variables. Barriers to fruit and vegetable intake were the largest component of variability in actual fruit and vegetable consumption. Results suggest a relationship between attitudes about barriers to fruit and vegetable intake and nutrition behaviors. Additionally, males and individuals with limited education and lower income may benefit from education directed toward reducing barriers to fruit and vegetable intake.