Food intake patterns and perceived barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption among minorities

Majority of Americans, especially minorities, do not consume the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. In addition to individual or family level reasons, limited access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables in urban settings or neighborhoods with low socioeconomic characteristics can be a barrier against healthier food intake behaviors. Cross-sectional, self-administered in-person surveys were conducted among 552 adults in 2009 as a part of the development of a farmers market in an urban setting. Participants were recruited at the farmers market, surrounding residential areas, and community agencies/events. Data included socioeconomic/demographic characteristics, food intake, food security, and perceived barriers against eating fruits and vegetables. Participants (age 40.1±15.2y, 74% female) were 47% Hispanic, 27% black, 18% white, and 7% other race/ethnicity; about 36% were unemployed. High proportions of them agreed that fruits and vegetables were too expensive (51% and 40%, respectively), and access to fresh fruits and vegetables (32% and 34%, respectively) and variety (37%) were limited near where they lived. Taste and personal preference were not perceived as barriers by most, but time constraint was commonly reported as a barrier. Minorities and less educated participants were more likely to report barriers (p<0.05). Participants with greater barrier perceptions reported consuming fruits and vegetables less frequently (p<0.05). Detected individual/family level and environmental barriers, their connections to food intake, and greater prevalence of perceived barriers among minorities and individuals with lower socioeconomic status suggest that these populations and barriers should be targeted to stimulate healthful eating patterns.