Discrepancies between perceived dietary adequacy and the real fruit and vegetable consumption among Puerto Rican children, 2008

In Puerto Rico, childhood obesity has dramatically increased over the past decades. Dietary practices are important risk factors for childhood obesity, particularly a low consumption of fruits and vegetables. In the Island, no studies have compared fruit and vegetable consumption with nutritional recommendations. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to compare fruit and vegetable consumption of elementary school children (first to sixth grade) from public and private schools in Cayey, Puerto Rico, with their body mass index by age and perceptions of dietary adequacy. A two-stage stratified cluster sampling design was used (n=251). Information was collected using a personal interview of the child and by taking physical measurements (weight and height). Chi-square and Fisher tests were used to compare proportions. Half of the students were male (51%); mean age was 9±2 years. Most (87%) felt they ate healthy. About 98% expressed liking fruits, but only 22% ate fruits daily. Also, 58% liked vegetables, but only 11% ate them everyday. Only 15% of students ate the recommendation of at least 5 portions of fruits and/or vegetables daily. About 83% of those who reported eating healthy and 88% of those overweight or at risk of overweigh do not achieve the recommendation. These results show a low frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption among Puerto Rican children, and a discrepancy between actual consumption and perceived dietary adequacy. Funding: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the PR Health Services Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico.