Factors Influencing Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Icelandic Schoolchildren
Author Information
Author(s): Asa G. Kristjansdottir, Inga Thorsdottir, Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij, Pernille Due, Marianne Wind, Knut-Inge Klepp
Primary Institution: Unit for Nutrition Research, Landspitali-University Hospital & Department of Food Science, University of Iceland
Hypothesis
What factors determine fruit and vegetable intake among 11-year-old schoolchildren in Iceland?
Conclusion
Increasing fruit and vegetable intake among children requires addressing both environmental factors and personal factors like self-efficacy and knowledge.
Supporting Evidence
- 64% of children ate fruit less than once a day.
- 61% of children ate vegetables less than once a day.
- 31% of the variance in fruit intake was explained by the studied determinants.
- 39% of the variance in vegetable intake was explained by the studied determinants.
- Environmental factors were more important for vegetable intake than for fruit intake.
Takeaway
Kids in Iceland don't eat enough fruits and vegetables, and we need to help them by making these foods easier to get and teaching them about healthy eating.
Methodology
A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 11-year-old children using self-administered questionnaires to assess fruit and vegetable intake and its determinants.
Potential Biases
Self-reported measures may introduce bias in dietary intake assessments.
Limitations
The study is cross-sectional, which limits causal inferences, and relies on self-reported data.
Participant Demographics
The final sample consisted of 1179 children, with 560 girls and 619 boys, average age 11.3 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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