Understanding Fruit, Vegetable, and Fish Consumption
Author Information
Author(s): Emely De Vet, Jascha De Nooijer, Nanne K. De Vries, Johannes Brug
Primary Institution: Universiteit Maastricht
Hypothesis
Are fruit, vegetable, and fish consumption related, and do their behavioral determinants vary?
Conclusion
The weak associations between intakes and potential determinants for fruit, vegetable, and fish consumption do not warrant an integrated dietary change approach targeting the same determinants for each behavior.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants were followed up one week later to assess changes in dietary intake.
- Decisional balance and self-efficacy were more strongly associated with dietary behaviors than stages of change.
- Pros of fruit, vegetable, and fish consumption predicted forward stage transitions.
Takeaway
Eating fruits, vegetables, and fish is important for health, but the reasons people eat them can be different, so we can't use the same strategies to help everyone eat better.
Methodology
Data were collected through electronic questionnaires assessing dietary intake and behavioral determinants among participants at two time points.
Potential Biases
The sample may not be fully representative of the general Dutch adult population due to the data-collection method.
Limitations
The short time interval of one week may not be sufficient to study stage transitions and behavioral changes.
Participant Demographics
Mean age was 35.4 years, 35% male, and 90% of Dutch origin.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
1.59–4.00
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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