Factors within the family environment such as parents’ dietary habits and fruit and vegetable availability have the greatest influence on fruit and vegetable consumption by Polish children

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveTo identify determinants of fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption among school-aged children.DesignA survey study was conducted in October 2010. The questionnaire contained questions concerning social and demographic data, lifestyle and dietary habits, particularly the frequency of F&V consumption, availability of F&V and knowledge about recommended amounts of F&V intake.SettingPolish primary schools.SubjectsChildren (n1255) aged 9 years from randomly selected primary schools and their parents.ResultsThe children’s consumption of fruit and of vegetables was influenced by the fruit consumption and vegetable consumption of their parents (r=0·333 andr=0·273, respectively;P=0·001), parents encouraging their children to eat F&V (r=0·259 andr=0·271,respectively;P=0·001), giving children F&V to take to school (r=0·338 andr=0·321,respectively;P=0·001) and the availability of F&V at home (r=0·200 andr=0·296, respectively;P=0·001). Parental education influenced only the frequency of fruit consumption (r=0·074;P=0·01). A correlation between parents’ knowledge of the recommended intakes and the frequency of vegetable and fruit consumption by children was noticed (r=0·258 andr=0·192, respectively,P=0·001).ConclusionsFactors within the family environment such as parents’ dietary habits and F&V availability had the greatest influence on the F&V consumption by children. Educational activities aimed at parents are crucial to increase the consumption of F&V among children.