Trends in fruit, vegetable and salad intakes in 9-10-year-old schoolchildren living in Liverpool, 2000-2005.

摘要

Studies were conducted to determined fruit, vegetable and salad intakes of Liverpool (UK) schoolchildren aged 9-10 yr over a 5-yr period (2000-2005). A cross-sectional observational study was employed. Between 75 and 100 Liverpool primary schools took part in each survey yr. Subjects consisted of 5 separate cohorts of 9-10-yr-old children from all areas of the city. Number and proportion of boys and girls who reported eating fruit, vegetables and salad on the previous day were measured. There was an upward trend in the reported intake of fruit between 2002 and 2005. Girls were more likely than boys to report eating fruit (P < 0.001). The trend in salad intake was positive. Between 2000 and 2005, there were significant increases in the number of boys (X2 = 17.57, P = 0.001) and girls (X2 = 80.56, P = 0.001) eating salad. Girls were significantly more likely to eat salad than boys in all years (X2 = 58.75, P = 0.001). Trends in vegetable intake were similar to those for salad, with both sexes reporting yearly increases over the 5-yr period. The increase in the number of boys who reported eating vegetables between 2000 and 2005 was 23.5% (X2 = 32.9, P = 0.000). With girls, there was a 44.8% increase over the same period (X2 = 110.3, P < 0.000). The data reveal positive trends in the fruit, vegetable and salad intakes of Liverpool schoolchildren between 2000 and 2005.