Differences in fruit and vegetable intake of U.S. adults by sociodemographic characteristics evaluated by two methods

Socioeconomic factors have been associated with fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. Nutrition behaviors such as choosing and consuming FV may be among many factors related to racial/ethnic health disparities. Intake can be measured using an epidemiological approach that includes FV from all foods, or a behavioral approach that includes choices consistent with dietary guidance, which excludes incidental amounts present in small quantities (e.g. tomato in catsup) and sources high in added sugars, fat, and sodium. The purpose of this study is to describe and compare FV intake by sociodemographic characteristics using both methods One day dietary intake data of adults 20+ years (N = 10,563) from What We Eat in America, NHANES 2009-2012 were used. FV in foods was estimated using the Food Patterns Equivalents Database (FPED) 2009-2012 and is expressed as cup equivalents (CE). Mean intakes and percent reporting were compared by gender, age, ethnicity, income, education using both methods. Comparisons were made by t-tests with regression adjustment for covariates. Results were considered significant at P < 0.001. Using the epidemiological approach, estimates of intake ranged from 0.8 to 1.2 CE for fruit and 1.1 to 1.7 CE for vegetables. When estimated by the behavioral approach, fruit intake ranged from 0.8 to 1.1 CE, and vegetable intake excluding potatoes was 0.8 to 1.3 CE. Significance of most differences within each sociodemographic did not change between the two methods. With some exceptions, mean FV intakes and percentage reporting any intake were higher among women, older individuals, Non-Hispanic whites and in some cases Hispanics, individuals at higher income levels and those with less than high school education. These results can inform evaluation of the impact of dietary guidance messages and needs for nutrition education.