Variety in fruits and vegetables, diet quality and lifestyle in an older adult mediterranean population.

Background and Aims: Previous studies, mainly focused on quantity rather than variety, have shown beneficial associations between the amount of fruit and vegetable consumed, diet quality and healthy lifestyle. The aim is to evaluate the association between fruit and vegetable consumption, diet quality and lifestyle in an elderly Mediterranean population, considering both variety and the combination of quantity and variety (QV).
Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 6647 participants (51.6% of males) was conducted in the framework of the PREDIMED-Plus study. A variety score was created as the sum of vegetables and/or fruits consumed at least once per month using food frequency questionnaires. Dietary Reference Intakes (EAR and IA values) were used to estimate the prevalence of inadequate intake of dietary fiber and micronutrients. Logistic regression models were performed to examine the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and not meeting the DRIs, by tertiles of fruit and vegetable variety and QV categories.
Results: Participants with higher fruit and vegetable variety score reported a significant higher intake of fiber, vitamins, minerals and flavonoids and were significantly more likely to be physically active and non-smoker. Besides, higher variety in fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with lower prevalence of having an inadequate intake of fiber [(0.13 (0.11-0.16)], two or more [(0.17 (0.14-0.21)], three or more [(0.15 (0.13-0.18)] and four or more [(0.11 (0.10-0.14)] micronutrients in our participants. Higher quantity and variety in fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with lower prevalence of having an inadequate intake of fiber [(0.05 (0.04-0.06)], two or more [(0.08 (0.06-0.10)], three or more [(0.08 (0.06-0.09)] and four or more [(0.06 (0.05-0.07)] micronutrients.
Conclusion: Greater variety in fruit and vegetable intake was associated with better nutrient adequacy, diet quality and healthier lifestyle in an elderly Mediterranean population.
Competing Interests: Potential conflicts of interest JS-S serves on the board of (and receives grant support through his institution from) the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council and the Eroski Foundation. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Instituto Danone, Spain, and on the Scientifc Committee of the Danone International Institute. He has received research support from the Patrimonio Comunal Olivarero, Spain, and Borges S.A., Spain. He receives consulting fees or travel expenses from Danone, the Eroski Foundation, the Instituto Danone, Spain, and Abbot Laboratories. ER has received research funding through his institution from the California Walnut Commission, Folsom, CA, USA; was a paid member of its Health Research Advisory Group; and is a non-paid member of its Scientifc Advisory Council. RE reports grants from Cerveza y Salud, Spain and Fundación Dieta Mediterranea, Spain. Also personal fees for given lectures from Brewers of Europe, Belgium; Fundación Cerveza y Salud, Spain; Pernaud-Ricard, Mexico; Instituto Cervantes, Alburquerque, USA; Instituto Cervantes, Milano, Italy; Instituto Cervantes, Tokio, Japan; Lilly Laboratories, Spain and Wine and Culinary International Forum, Spain and non-financial support to organize a National Congress on Nutrition. Also feeding trials with product from Grand Fountain and Uriach Laboratories, Spain. LL-G, NB-T, NB, MAM-G, AD-L, DC, AG, DR, JV, AMA-G, JW, JAM, LS-M, FT, JL, XP, JAT, JL-M, AB-C, MD-R, PM-M, LD, LA-A, JV, CV, ZV-R, SC, RF, OC, MAZ, LT, MJA, CML, MM, AG-R, RC, AMG-P, JMS-L, EG, PG-S, CL, IA, IS, SE and HS have nothing to declare.
(Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.)