Estimates of fruit and vegetable intake in childhood and adult dietary behaviors of African American women.

摘要

The relationship between fruits and vegetables intake in childhood and current dietary behaviours among African American women was investigated. 1227 African American women participated in the study via 10 urban public health centers in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. A 33-item fruits and vegetables food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate items such as: childhood fruits and vegetables intake; adult fruits and vegetables intake; exposure to and preference for fruits and vegetables; and preference for trying new foods. Linear regression was used to evaluate the association between predictors and continuous measures; logistic regression determined the association between predictors and categorical measures. Results indicated that estimates of vegetables intake as a child were significantly related to exposure and preference for both fruits and vegetables, trying of new foods and intake of both fruits and vegetables in adulthood. Estimates of eating fruits as a child were not significantly associated with these adult dietary behaviours. It is suggested that developmental influences on adult dietary patterns may be stronger for vegetables than fruits among African American women. Additional emphasis is needed regarding exposure to and preference for vegetables intake in childhood.