Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116448

Scott B. Ickes, BS¹, Ming-Chin Yeh, PhD², Alice S. Ammerman, DrPH, RD³, Rosanne Farris, PhD, RD⁴, David L. Katz, MD, MPH⁵, and Lisa M. Lowenstein, BS¹. (1) Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, 1700 Airport Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, (919)966-0358, ickes@unc.edu, (2) Urban Public Health, Hunter College, City University of New York, 425 East 25th street, New York, NY 10010, (3) Nutrition/Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1700 Airport Road, CB #8140, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, (4) Division of Adult and Community Health, Cardiovascular Health Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Mailstop K-47, Atlanta, GA 30341, (5) Yale Griffin Prevention Research Center, Yale University, School of Public Health, Griffin Hospital 30 Division Street, Derby, CT 06418

It is well documented that diets rich in fruits and vegetables (FVs) can protect against chronic disease. Some ethnic minority groups consume FVs at considerably lower rates than Caucasians, adding to their list of elevated risk factors. This qualitative study explores determinants of FV intake in a tri-ethnic sample of Hispanics, African Americans (AAs), and Caucasians, grouped by age (<50 v. >50) and region (South v. Northeast). Data were collected from 12 focus groups, including 167 people, and analyzed using NVivo software. Health benefit awareness of FVs was high across ethnic, age, and regional groups; however, variation existed among samples with regard to specific requirements (types, number of servings, and serving size). No group demonstrated even a moderate level of awareness of the “5 a Day for Better Health” campaign. Common barriers to all groups were the high cost and preparation time of FVs. Furthermore; all groups expressed frustration with the low convenience and high spoilage rate of FVs. Differential barriers of FV intake according to ethnicity were reported preparation style, availability of specific types of FVs, advertising, perceived pesticide use, and inconsistency in price/quality. In general, Hispanics were highly affected by the limited availability of FVs and heavy advertising/convenience of fast foods in the US. Hispanics spoke frequently about the reduction in availability/quality and increased cost of FVs following immigration. AAs identified a high fat/salt preparation style for FVs, and a trend away from home cooked meals. AAs acknowledged lack of transportation to stores selling quality FVs. Caucasians noted a negative influence from family and social groups that do not favor FVs. Additionally, Caucasians were most suspicious of agricultural chemicals. When grouped by age, participants <50 noted lack of time in busy schedules as a barrier to intake, whereas participants >50 noted the increased burden of preparation. The <50 groups identified fast food as a barrier in great frequency. The >50 groups felt stronger than the <50 groups about the health benefits of FVs. Analyses across geographic region yielded few notable differences. These results can be useful to inform health promotion, intervention materials, policy deliberations, and survey questions. This study underscores the need for cultural and age considerations when designing FV interventions and surveys.

Learning Objectives:

1)Describe 10 barriers to fruit and vegetable intake as categorized by age, region, and ethnicity. 2)Describe 10 facilitators to fruit and vegetable intake as categorized by age, region, and ethnicity. 3)Discuss the degree and type of knowledge possessed by a diverse population concerning dietary recommendations for serving size, number of servings, and perceived nutritional value of fruits and vegetables. 4)Inform policy initiatives aimed at nutrition improvement among diverse ethnic, regional, and age populations.
• Discuss the relationship between health disparities and fruit and vegetable intake as related to race, age, and region.

Keywords: Food and Nutrition, Ethnic Minorities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.