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ObjectiveDespite the benefits of fruit and vegetable intake, many young Americans do not consume them at adequate levels. The present study sought to determine the beliefs that children have about asking their parents to have fruits and vegetables available at home in order to better understand the role children may play in influencing their own fruit and vegetable consumption.DesignAn instrument utilizing the Reasoned Action Approach, with closed-ended questions on demographic and behavioural variables and open-ended questions eliciting the belief structure underlying asking parents to make fruits and vegetables available, was distributed. Thematic and frequency analyses were performed for open-ended questions. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess differences between children who had v. had not asked for fruits and vegetables.SettingThree middle schools in rural Indiana, USA.SubjectsA sub-sample of sixty students aged 12–15 years from a larger study of 344 students.ResultsQualitative analysis identified benefits (i.e. make me healthier; make parents happy), disadvantages (i.e. will upset my parents) and strategies (i.e. asking when you are at the store) that could be used to improve fruit and vegetable intake. Findings also revealed that students who asked their parents for fruits and vegetables were significantly more likely to perform several healthy eating and physical activity behaviours.ConclusionsData suggest that young people's view of parental reactions is critical. While additional research is necessary, the findings support a role for children in shaping their own environment and suggest multilevel interventions that simultaneously address parents and children. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Although consuming adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases, it is widely recognized that young adults' intakes are currently well below the Department of Health's recommended five portions a day, with men consuming even less than women. One approach in the UK has been to introduce health campaigns such as the 5 A DAY programme; however, little is currently known about how well their messages are understood amongst young adults. This study examined current knowledge of the 5 A DAY message in young adults, as well as the perceived benefits and remaining barriers towards consuming more fruits and vegetables. In total, four focus groups were conducted using male ( n = 22) and female ( n = 18) students at the University of Reading. Content analysis revealed that while participants were aware of the 5 A DAY recommendation, there was widespread confusion regarding the detail. In addition, men were less accepting of the message than women, reporting greater disbelief and a lack of motivation to increase intake. Finally, a range of barriers was reported by participants of both genders, despite the perceived beneficial effects for health and appearance. The results illustrate a considerable gap between awareness and knowledge of the 5 A DAY message, and underscore the challenge that changing behaviour in young adults represents. As well as stepping up education- and skill-based health campaigns, more targeted gender specific interventions will be needed to achieve sustained increases in fruit and vegetable intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic illnesses account for three-quarters of healthcare costs in the United States and are generally statistically correlated with bad diet and lack of physical activity. The 5 A Day program can be adopted by hospitality organizations that want to offer their employees more healthy meal choices at work. The goal of the program is to provide the employees with the information and support to improve their eating habits and practice healthier lifestyles. A 5 A Day program has begun at a hotel-casino in the Southwestern U.S. On the first day of this program, a survey was administered to employees that intended to identify the amount of fruits and vegetables currently consumed by employees, their awareness of recommendations about how much of these products to consume, as well as if there are any differences between eating habits among the different groups based on their demographics. The company was also interested in knowing what motivates employees to eat healthier meals. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were run to test for statistically significant differences among the various demographic groups. The results of this study indicate that the majority of respondents eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day and that they are highly motivated to eat healthy. There were statistical differences between Spanish-speaking employees that were more comfortable with the healthy options offered by the employees' dining room (EDR) compared to their English-speaking counterparts. Implications for the industry are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To improve an existing measure of fruit and vegetable intake self efficacy by including items that varied on levels of difficulty, and testing a corresponding measure of water intake self efficacy. Design: Cross sectional assessment. Items were modified to have easy, moderate and difficult levels of self efficacy. Classical test theory and item response modeling were applied. Setting: One middle school at each of seven participating sites (Houston TX, Irvine CA, Philadelphia PA, Pittsburg PA, Portland OR, rural NC, and San Antonio TX). Subjects: 714 6th grade students. Results: Adding items to reflect level (low, medium, high) of self efficacy for fruit and vegetable intake achieved scale reliability and validity comparable to existing scales, but the distribution of items across the latent variable did not improve. Selecting items from among clusters of items at similar levels of difficulty along the latent variable resulted in an abbreviated scale with psychometric characteristics comparable to the full scale, except for reliability. Conclusions: The abbreviated scale can reduce participant burden. Additional research is necessary to generate items that better distribute across the latent variable. Additional items may need to tap confidence in overcoming more diverse barriers to dietary intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the microbial safety while maintaining quality of fresh fruits and vegetables will increase consumer confidence in fresh produce. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of irradiation at 1 kGy, a dose that potentially inactivates E. coli O157:H7 by 5 logs, on the quality of 13 common fresh-cut vegetables: iceberg, romaine, green and red leaf lettuce, spinach, tomato, cilantro, parsley, green onion, carrot, broccoli, red cabbage, and celery. The results showed that the appearance of irradiated samples was similar to the nonirradiated ones except that irradiated carrots, celery, cilantro, and green onions had higher appearance scores than corresponding nonirradiated vegetables. There was no difference in the instrumental texture between irradiated samples and nonirradiated ones. The aroma of several irradiated vegetables was significantly better than controls after 14-d storage, because these control samples decayed or senesced. The 1 kGy irradiation did not affect vitamin C content of most vegetables; however, irradiated green and red leaf lettuce had 24% to 53% lower vitamin C contents than the controls. Our results suggest that most fresh-cut fruits and vegetables tested can tolerate up to 1 kGy irradiation without significant losses in any of the quality attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Epidemiological evidence suggests that populations with high fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption have a lower risk for childhood obesity, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. There are no studies that address the correlates of FV intake in Mexican children; therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the frequency of FV consumption by children in Mexico City’s low income state schools and their personal (preferences, expectancy, knowledge and self-efficacy) and environmental (accessibility and person in charge of cooking at home) correlates. Methods A validated questionnaire to assess accessibility, expectancy, self-efficacy, preference and knowledge; and a 2-day dietary recall were used to assess the FV intake and its correlates in 327 children. Statistical analysis included chi-square and stepwise logistic regression. Results Average consumption of FV was once a day with a higher proportion of girls consuming FV 3 or more times per day (15.2% versus 6.7%; P < 0.01). The environmental factors that influenced a higher consumption of FV were the mother being responsible for cooking at home ( P < 0.02) and accessibility to FV ( P < 0.01); whereas the personal factors were self-efficacy ( P < 0.05) and preference ( P < 0.03) to vegetables. Conclusion Correlates of fruit and vegetable consumption in children from Mexico City’s State Schools were being female and accessibility to fruits and vegetables. Home and school environments are decisive for the children to increase FV consumption. Creative ways to encourage FV consumption in boys should be explored. These factors should be considered when designing programmes aimed at increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent produce-related outbreaks have been receiving heightened media coverage, which has increased public concern toward the safety of fresh fruits and vegetables. In response, the microbial contamination of Ontario-grown fresh fruits and vegetables was evaluated by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs during the summer of 2004. Prior to this survey, information specific to the microbial contamination of Ontario-produced fruits and vegetables was limited. This nonregulatory survey had two objectives: (i) to obtain a general microbiological profile of selected fruits and vegetables produced in Ontario and (ii) to use the information and knowledge gained from this survey to direct and support future onfarm food safety research and food safety programs to manage potential risks. In ail, 1,183 samples, including muskmelon (151), scallions and green onions (173), leaf lettuce (263), organic leaf lettuce (112), head lettuce (155), parsley (127), cilantro (61), and fresh market tomatoes (141), were collected and analyzed. Samples were analyzed for Salmonella, Shigella, and generic E. coli. Enrichment cultures positive for E. coli were further assessed for verotoxigenicity. One sample each of Roma tomato and organic leaf lettuce were positive for Salmonella, with no samples yielding Shigella or verotoxigenic E. coli. The E. coli prevalence was highest in parsley (13.4%), followed by organic leaf lettuce (11.6%), leaf lettuce (6.5%), scallions (6.4%), cilantro (4.9%), muskmelon (1.3%), head lettuce (0%), and fresh market tomatoes (0%). These findings, in combination with foodborne illness data, will help target those commodities that require more focused risk mitigation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This research evaluated the effectiveness of a school-based intervention by the classroom teacher compared to a nutritionist-based intervention in promoting fruit and vegetable consumption in children. The name of this study was “Bring some fruit to school” (“Porta la frutta a scuola” in Italian). In this randomized controlled trial, the primary end point was an increase in the children''s consumption of fruit, vegetables, and legumes and a decrease in consumption of chips and sugar-sweetened drinks. Twenty fourth-grade elementary classes enrolling 521 students were assigned to 1 of the 2 nutrition education interventions. At 36 weeks, 471 students had completed the study. At the end of the study, the teacher intervention group (n = 228) increased consumption of fruit, vegetables, and legumes in 107 (47%), 132 (58%), and 73 (32%) children, respectively, and a decrease in consumption of chips and sugar-sweetened drinks in 106 (47%) and 78 (34%), respectively; the nutritionist intervention group (n = 243) reported increased consumption of fruit and vegetables in 121 (26%) and 86 (18.2%) but decreased consumption of legumes in 12 (3%) of children, respectively, and a decrease in the consumption of chips and sugar-sweetened drinks in 88 (19%) and 13 (3%), respectively. This study implies that nutrition education intervention by teachers may promote fruit, vegetable, and legume consumption in elementary school–age children. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The dietary intake of adults with mental retardation among three different community residential settings was described and compared. Two dietary screeners were administered to 325 adults. The women's Fruit and Vegetable Screener scores from group homes were significantly higher than scores from those with family members and in semi-independent settings. No significant differences were found in dietary intake across residences for men. Overall, 0% to 6% of the participants consumed the recommended 5 or more fruits and vegetables per day, and 15% to 30% consumed the recommended ≤30% or less of calories from fat. Results suggest that regardless of residential setting, men and women do not consume enough fruits and vegetables and consume too much dietary fat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: There is growing interest in understanding the roles that fruit, vegetable, milk, breakfast, and soft drink consumption play in relation to adolescents’ weight status. This study examines the relationship between weight status and dietary practices of middle school students. Design: This study consists of secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey given to 4,049 middle school students in central Kentucky. Methods: Students’ self-reported height and weight data, as well as 7-day recall of fruits, vegetables, milk, soft drinks, and breakfast consumption prior to completion of the survey, were collected. Self-reported height and weight were converted to body mass index (BMI) percentile according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s classification criteria. Outcome measures: Measures included dietary consumption of fruits, vegetables, milk, soft drinks, and breakfast in relation to students’ BMI percentile. Statistical analyses performed: Descriptive statistics were extracted on demographics, BMI percentile, and food consumption. Bivariate analyses included χ2 tests of association and Spearman rank correlation. Results: Healthy weight was associated with consuming fruits, vegetables, breakfast, and milk. Underweight and healthy-weight students consumed more fruits than students who were at risk of being overweight and overweight. Healthy-weight students consumed more “other vegetables” than students who were at risk of being overweight and more “other vegetables” and carrots than overweight students. Underweight students consumed breakfast more often than all other students, and healthy-weight students consumed breakfast significantly more frequently than students at risk of being overweight and overweight. Finally, overweight students had a significantly lower consumption of milk than all other students. Conclusions: Parents and school foodservice personnel should take these factors into consideration by developing menu strategies and tactics to encourage more healthful eating behaviors in children. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with a lowered risk of cancer, heart disease, hypertension and stroke. This has been attributed to the presence of various forms of phytochemicals and antioxidants present in the foods, e.g. carotenoids and polyphenol compounds including flavonoids and anthocyanins. Seventy Fiji grown fruits and vegetables, and some other commonly consumed products, were analysed for their total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total polyphenol content (TPP), total anthocyanin content (TAT) as well as the major flavonol and carotenoid profiles. These data will be used to estimate the phytochemical and antioxidant intake of the Fijian population and will be a useful tool in future clinical trials. Green leafy vegetables had the highest antioxidant capacity, followed by the fruits and root crops. A number of herbs also exhibited high antioxidant capacity. Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato) leaves have the highest TAC (650mg/100g) and are rich in TPP (270mg/100g), quercetin (90mg/100g) and β-carotene (13mg/100g). Moringa oleifera (drumstick) leaves also have a high TAC (260mg/100g) and are rich in TPP (260mg/100g), quercetin (100mg/100g), kaempferol (34mg/100g) and β-carotene (34mg/100g). Curcuma longa (turmeric ginger) has a high TAC (360mg/100g), TPP (320mg/100g) and is rich in fisetin (64mg/100g), quercetin (41mg/100g) and myricetin (17mg/100g). Zingiber officinate (white ginger) also has a high TAC (320mg/100g) and TPP (200mg/100g). Zingiber zerumbet (wild ginger), a widely used herb taken before meals is the richest source of kaempferol (240mg/100g). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study selected 13 fruits and vegetables to determine their total phenolic and flavonoid contents and their stimulatory effects on splenocyte proliferation from female BALB/c mice. The highest total phenolic content was observed in mulberry (1515.9±5.7mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100g fresh matter (FM)) among four selected fruit species. The highest total phenolic content was observed in a variety of red onions (310.8±4.9mg GAE/100g FM) among nine selected vegetable species. The highest total flavonoid content was observed in mulberry (250.1±6.3mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/100g FM) among the selected fruits. The highest total flavonoid content was observed in ceylon spinach (133.1±26.2mg QE/100g FM) among the selected vegetables. The mulberry, strawberry and red onion demonstrated an immuno-modulatory potential via stimulating splenocyte proliferation. Bitter melon showed a significantly (P <0.05) negative correlation with splenocyte proliferation. Their immuno-modulatory components are highly correlated with phenolics, including flavonoids. The total phenolic contents in all selected fruits and vegetables significantly correlated with splenocyte proliferation in vitro. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study examined the relationship among dieting, eating attitudes, social physique anxiety, and fruit and vegetable consumption among Turkish adolescents. Abnormal eating behavior (EAT-26 ≥ 20) was found in 32.8% of the total sample; this included 26.4% of the males and 38.7% of the females. Weight-control and weight-related behaviors are associated with high fruit and vegetable consumption in adolescents. Dieting was significantly associated with types of consumption in female adolescents. In addition, EAT-26 scores were significantly positively correlated with high fruit and vegetable consumption, but this association was not observed in SPAS scores among adolescents. Adolescents who engage in dieting behaviors seem to consume more fruit and vegetables than do other adolescents. Female adolescents may be more likely to display abnormal eating attitudes and dieting behaviors than do males. Although some weight-control behaviors may be risky, adolescents who were practicing dieting behaviors engaged in the positive dietary behavior of consuming more servings of fruit and vegetables than did non-dieters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To estimate the proportions of the population meeting recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake, we first estimated the usual intake distributions of total fruits and vegetables and then compared the results to the 5 A Day recommendation and to the recommendations for fruits and vegetables combined, found in the new US Department of Agriculture food guide, MyPyramid. Design/subjects: The primary dataset was created from one 24-hour recall from each of 8,070 respondents in the 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Variances were estimated using one or two 24-hour recalls from 14,963 respondents in the 1994-1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals. Statistical Analysis: The statistical method developed at Iowa State University was used for estimating distributions of usual intake of dietary components that are consumed daily. It was modified to allow the adjustment of heterogeneous within-person variances using an external estimate of heterogeneity. Results: In 1999-2000, only 40% of Americans ate an average of five or more ½-cup servings of fruits and vegetables per day. The proportions of sex–age groups meeting the new US Department of Agriculture recommendations ranged from 0.7% of boys aged 14 to 18 years, whose combined recommendation is 5 cups, to 48% of children aged 2 to 3 years, whose combined recommendation is 2 cups. Conclusions: Americans need to consume more fruits and vegetables, especially dark green and orange vegetables and legumes. Nutritionists must help consumers realize that, for everyone older than age 3 years, the new recommendations for fruit and vegetable intakes are greater than the familiar five servings a day. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Adequate fruit and vegetable intake was suggested to protect against colorectal cancer and colorectal adenomas; however, several recent prospective studies reported no association. We examined the association between fruits and vegetables and adenomatous polyp recurrence in the Polyp Prevention Trial (PPT). The PPT was a low-fat, high-fiber, high-fruit, and vegetable dietary intervention trial of adenoma recurrence, in which there were no differences in the rate of adenoma recurrence in participants in the intervention and control arms of the trial. In this analysis of the entire PPT trial-based cohort, multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of advanced and nonadvanced adenoma recurrence within quartiles of baseline and change (baseline minus the mean over 3 y) in fruit and vegetable intake, after adjustment for age, total energyy intake, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, BMI, and gender. There were no significant associations between nonadvanced adenoma recurrence and overall change in fruit and vegetable consumption; however, those in the highest quartile of change in dry bean intake (greatest increase) compared with those in the lowest had a significantly reduced OR for advanced adenoma recurrence (OR = 0.35; 95% CI, 0.18-0.69; P for trend = 0.001). The median in the highest quartile of change in dry bean intake was 370% higher than the baseline intake. The PPT trial-based cohort provides evidence that dry beans may be inversely associated with advanced adenoma recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The work is an attempt at a model presentation, using a new multi-criteria mathematical method called the analytical hierarchy process, of polyphenol supply to human organisms from fruit and vegetables. On this basis, plant raw materials which supply polyphenols to the organism to the greatest extent and thus contribute to an improvement in health state of people in Poland were identified. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study identified fruit, 100% juice and vegetables (FJV) consumption changes by meal among fourth grade students participating in Squire''s Quest!, a 10-session individually focused psychoeducational multimedia game with many meal/environment specific behavioral change techniques incorporated into the programming. Participants in 26 elementary schools were randomly assigned to treatment or control groups. Four days of dietary intake were assessed before and after the intervention to determine FJV servings consumed by meal. Overall, students receiving the intervention consumed 1.0 serving FJV more per day compared with control condition students. Using mixed model analysis of covariance, significant increases were found for servings of fruit and 100% fruit juice at snacks, and regular vegetables at lunch for intervention school children compared with children in control condition schools. These meals and snacks were targeted by the intervention activities and appear to represent eating occasions for which the children might have had more control. Interventions need to incorporate new procedures to more directly target intake at breakfast and dinner. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Objective: Although animal studies suggest an inverse association between consumption of plant foods and risk of colorectal cancer, many observational data have failed to support such an association. We prospectively examined the association between dietary intakes of fruit, vegetables, and fiber and colorectal cancer risk in a large female cohort from the Womens Health Study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT Design of active modified atmosphere packaging for vegetables was studied by developing a mathematical model predicting gas changes and based on the following independently evaluated parameters: vegetable respiration rate, film permeability, and oxygen absorption kinetic of the absorber. A step-by-step model validation was performed on a tomatoes/low-density polyethylene pouch/commercial iron-based scavenger system at 20 °C. Without optimization, the model fit experimental data with root mean square error (RMSE) value lower than 1.5. Oxygen absorbers had a strong influence on transient period characteristics by reducing their duration (50 and 100 h with and without absorber, respectively) and suppression of the CO2 peak owing to a rapid oxygen depletion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiration rate and gas exchange through the package material are the processes involved in creating a modified atmosphere inside a package that will extend shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables. Thus, modelling respiration rate of the selected produce is crucial to the design of a successful modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) system. In this paper, general aspects of the respiration process are presented. The major methods for measuring respiration rates, along with their advantages and limitations are discussed. Factors affecting the respiration rate and respiratory quotient are outlined, stressing the importance of temperature, O2 and CO2 concentrations, and storage time. Respiration rate models in the literature are also reviewed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The ability of phytases from fresh fruits and vegetables to degrade phytate in foods was determined in vitro. In contrast to the more consistent presence of phytase in vegetables, only a few fruits contained detectable phytase activity. The highest phytase activities were 121 and 97 nmol min-1 g-1 in scallion leaves and avocado fruit, respectively. Avocado fruit also contained 0.14% phytate on a wet-weight basis. Crude phytase extracts were incubated with ground corn tortillas or refried beans at 37 °C. Most of the phytate was degraded within 30 min by a 4-fold excess by dry weight of scallion leaves. Avocado extracts incubated alone metabolized most of their endogenous phytate within 2 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antimicrobial efficacy of a peroxyacetic/octanoic acid mixture for fruit and vegetable process water was compared to peroxyacetic acid alone. Rate-of-kill studies using yeast and molds indicated that the peroxyacetic/ octanoic acid mixture had greater antifungal efficacy. In tests conducted during vegetable processing, use of the peroxyacetic/octanoic acid mixture was associated with lower numbers of yeast and molds in process water. In 1 example, lower numbers of yeast and molds in potato processing water containing the peroxyacetic acid/octanoic mixture were associated with lower yeast and mold counts on potatoes. Peroxyacetic/octanoic acid mixtures may offer processors using peroxyacetic acid a way to improve fungal reduction in recycled water processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing interest in developing methods to control the presence of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms on fresh fruits and vegetables. Blanching whole pickling cucumbers for 15 s at 80 °C reduced microbial cell counts by 2 to 3 log cycles from an initial population of typically 106 CFU/g. Vegetative microorganisms survived this blanching process (10-fold greater in number than the spore count), presumably because they were located beneath the surface of the cucumber. The sensitivity to heat of selected populations was measured by determining D values for pooled microorganisms (termed Dp values) isolated from fresh cucumbers. The Enterobacteriaceae population and the total aerobic microflora had similar Dp values to each other and to the D value for a selected lactic acid bacterium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the factors that have contributed to the food acceptance criteria of consumers. Based on the results, meat component or entrée has imparted greatly to acceptability of the total meal. Variations in vegetables and salads have less impact on overall acceptance determinations, therefore less effort should be placed.