ABSTRACT TEXT: The protective relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and risks for certain cancers is well documented. The High 5, Low Fat program was designed to improve cancer preventive fruit and vegetable (FV) intake in African American parents. Using a nested cohort design, 695 African American parents (99% female, MN age=29), completed telephone interviews using a modified 60-item Block food frequency questionnaire, validated (n=75) with 3 unannounced 24-hour recalls (a=0.86). When compared to the control group, intervention parents increased FV consumption by 0.5 servings (p<.03) (baseline 4.64 servings). The FFQ's were then analyzed for cancer preventive quality as measured by antioxidants, phytochemicals, and fiber. Among the intervention group there was a significant increase in cancer preventive fiber from beans (p=0.06). However, cancer preventive intake was not significantly increased between groups in the following nutrients: vitamin A (p=0.83), vitamin E (p=0.78), vitamin C (p=0.61), beta carotene (p=0.83), lutein (p=0.23), lycopene (p=0.17), and total grams of fiber (p=0.31). Studies report varying levels of success to meet the minimum servings of 5 FV per day. Few have addressed the cancer preventive quality of the FV that are being consumed, even when quantity recommendations are being met. These study results reinforce the need for dietary interventions to clearly prescribe specific cancer preventive foods beyond the general 5-A-Day message to include colorful fruits and vegetables as a cancer prevention strategy.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe dietary cancer prevention literature as evaluated by epidemiological research 2. Recognize that increased fruit and vegetable consumption may not equate to cancer protection 3. Discuss study results and implications for future community-based intervention research
Keywords: Nutrition, Cancer Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Study population is with Parents as Teachers, a national parent education organization
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.