Fruit and vegetable consumption among urban African-American church-attending households

Introduction: The African-American population has historically exhibited higher rates of chronic disease compared to other racial and ethnic groups. A common factor underpinning the prevalence of chronic disease is deficient intake of fresh fruits & vegetables. We assess fresh fruit & vegetable intake and household food security status of African-American church-attending women in a large urban center in Massachusetts. Methods: Data was collected from a small sample of women attending a predominately African-American church. A self-administered questionnaire on the frequency, barriers, purchase points, and seasonality of fresh fruits & vegetable consumption was disseminated at a community dinner and subsequent Sunday services. Household food security status, self-reported health status, history of weight loss and regain, and cigarette smoking were also examined. The following demographic variables were included: age, gender, religion, occupation, educational attainment, children in household, and church attendance. Results: 21 African-American women ranging in age from 24-70 years completed the questionnaire. Fruit intake was measured at 3.45±0.26 times/week. Grapes (n=16), oranges (n=14), and apples (n=11) were favored by over half of respondents. Vegetable intake was measured at 3.45±0.25 times/week. Broccoli (n=12), cabbage (n=7), and greens such as collards (n=8), lettuce (n=6), and spinach (n=4) were most favored. Green salad intake was measured at 2.45±0.21 times/week. Accessibility (n=9) was the main barrier to consumption. Food insecurity was reported by 50% of respondents. Conclusion: Issues of accessibility and food insecurity inhibit consumption of fresh fruits & vegetables in the urban community. Innovative public health initiatives are needed in the urban African-American community.