ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the quantity and diversity in the consumption fruits and vegetables, as well as its relationship with the consumer’s purchase characteristics and food environment. METHODS Baseline study stemming from a controlled and randomized community trial investigating a sample representative of Primary Health Care services (Health Academy Program) of Belo Horizonte, state of Minas Gerais. The intake of fruits and vegetables was analyzed in servings/day, whereas diversity was assessed by the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Users were also questioned […]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of activities promoting the consumption of fruit and vegetables (FV) in the workplace. METHODS: Intervention study with historical control group conducted in a public company in Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil, between 2007 and 2009. It consisted of three stages: (a) baseline, which included the characterization of both the company studied and the one responsible for providing meals to the employees, assessment of FV intake by the staff and forming a focus group to identify […]

OBJECTIVE: To analyze fruit and vegetable intake in adolescents and to identify associated factors. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of 812 adolescents of both sexes in the city of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, in 2003. Food consumption was measured with the 24-hour dietary recall. Fruit and vegetable intake was described in percentiles. Quantile regression models were used to investigate the association between this intake and explanatory variables. RESULTS: Of all adolescents interviewed, 6.4% consumed […]

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of family income and food prices on the participation of fruits and vegetables in the food purchases of Brazilian households. METHODS: Data analyzed refers to the Household Budget Survey conducted by the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística on a probabilistic sample of 48,470 Brazilian households between 2002 and 2003. Fruit and vegetable participation in total food purchases was expressed as a percentage of total calories purchased and as calories from fruit and vegetables adjusted […]

OBJECTIVE: To assess fruit and vegetable intake by adults and identify sociodemographic and life style variables associated with this intake. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was performed in the urban area of the city of Ribeirão Preto, Southeastern Brazil, in 2006. Sample was selected using three-stage cluster sampling, with census tracts as primary units. Sample was comprised of 930 participants aged 30 years and more and the design effect was considered in data analysis. Fruit and vegetable intake was based […]

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption and associated factors. METHODS: A total of 54,369 individuals aged >18 years living in Brazilian state capitals and the Federal District in 2006 were interviewed through the system Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico (VIGITEL – telephone-based surveillance of risk and protective factors for chronic diseases). The food consumption indicators used were regular intake of fruits and vegetables (>5 days/week) and adequate intake […]

OBJECTIVE: To estimate total polyphenol availability in fruits and vegetables commonly consumed in Brazil and its regions, and to identify the main food sources that constitute food habits in this country. METHODS: Total polyphenols were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and the availability estimated according to the Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares 2002/ 2003 (2002/2003 Family Budget Survey). Twelve highly consumed food items were chosen, of which six were “tropical fruits” and six were vegetables under the categories of “leafy and […]

We conducted a community trial-type intervention including a sample of 80 families living in a low income neighborhood in the municipality of Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2004. The intervention relied on nutritional education to increase the participation of fruit and vegetables in the family diet, and was administered in the form of three two-hour meetings during three consecutive weeks. To evaluate the immediate impact of this educational intervention, families were randomly divided into two groups (intervention and control). Only the […]