Did COVID-19 influence fruit and vegetable consumption? Explaining and comparing pandemic peak and post-peak periods

Background and Aim: Functional constipation is one of the most common health problems in older adults. Its development greatly depends on nutritional status in that a high fiber diet including fruits and vegetables can prevent or manage it. The present study aimed at assessing vegetable and fruit consumption among the elderly with functional constipation, based on the health belief model. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 163 elderly people aged 60 and older, who referred to retirement houses located in Isfahan, Iran, in 2013. The Rome III diagnostic criteria were used for functional constipation screening. Moreover, a demographic questionnaire, a researcher-made questionnaire developed based on the constructs of the health belief model, and a researcher-made 24-hour fruit and vegetable consumption checklist were used for data collection. Data analysis was done using SPSS Software (V, 20.0) and by running independent sample t test, Pearson correlation analysis, one-way analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression analysis at a significance level of less than 0.05. Results: The mean of participants’ age was 70.04 ± 6.41, while the means of their fruit consumption and vegetable consumption were 1.61 ± 0.73 and 1.31 ± 0.87 servings daily, respectively. Almost 44.2% of the participants consumed less than 2 servings of fruits and 55.8% consumed less than 2 servings of vegetables daily. Fruit and vegetable consumption was directly correlated with perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and knowledge and was inversely correlated with perceived barriers (P < 0.001). Moreover, perceived severity, perceived self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and knowledge explained 58% of the total variance of fruit consumption, while perceived self-efficacy, and perceived benefits, and knowledge explained 65.7% of the total variance of vegetable consumption. The most important cues to fruit and vegetable consumption were television (57.7%) and family and relatives (46%). Conclusions: This study revealed that the elderly with functional constipation consume inadequate amount of fruits and vegetables and the health belief model is a significant predictor of fruit and vegetable consumption among the elderly. Educational interventions based on the health belief model can be helpful in promoting the consumption of fruit and vegetable consumption in the elderly.

Background: Mortality caused by noncommunicable disease (NCD) has increased in the last ten years in Indonesia in line with the elevation of NCD prevalence. The NCD mortality and prevalence can be prevented by practicing a healthy lifestyle. One of a healthy lifestyle is adequate vegetable and fruit consumption that unfortunately was still far from expectation in the Basic Health Survey 2007 and 2010. Puskesmas as primary health care should anticipate the problem by encouraging doctor to routinely ask and educate on a healthy lifestyle.Objective: This study aimed to assess physician ask and advice on vegetable and fruit consumption based on patient and physician report.Method: Two hundred and fifty-one patients from primary health care (Puskesmas) in Yogyakarta City and Sleman District participated in this cross-sectional survey. Subsequently, a survey of 57 physicians was conducted. Data were collected by structured questionnaires and exit interviews. We analyzed the data using Chi-Square test and logistic regression.Results: The results showed that patients have been asked and advice about vegetable and fruit consumption. However, the proportion of physician report was higher than the proportion of patient’s report. Patient who had gastrointestinal disorder, had body weight problem, suffered from diabetics and cardiovascular diseases were more being asked and educated about vegetable and fruit consumption than other symptoms or diseases. Patients who were female, not married and did not eat vegetable and fruit everyday reported more being asked and advised by doctor on fruit and vegetable consumption than patients who were male, married and did not regularly eat fruit and vegetable. There was no difference of patient’ s perception of the relation between their disease and fruit and vegetables consumption based on characteristics, symptoms, disease and the frequency of eating fruit and vegetable.Conclusion: Primary health care physician has asked and advised patient about vegetable and fruit consumption although did not routinely practice it. Delivering advice as part of patient education on high fiber diet should be included in the national insurance scheme, so that physician will routinely educate patient.

Food habits and their socio-economic differences in Russia have rarely been compared to those in western countries. Our aim was to determine socio-economic differences and their changes in the consumption of vegetables, fruit and berries in two neighbouring areas: the district of Pitkäranta in the Republic of Karelia, Russia, and North Karelia, Finland. Cross-sectional risk factor surveys in Pitkäranta, in 1992, 1997, 2002 and 2007 (1144 men, 1528 women) and in North Karelia, in 1992, 1997 and 2002 (2049 men, 2316 women), were carried out. Data collected with a self-administered questionnaire were analysed with logistic regression. The consumption of fruit and vegetables was more common in North Karelia than in Pitkäranta, but increased markedly in Pitkäranta from 1992 to 2007. In Pitkäranta, women, and in North Karelia both men and women with higher education ate fresh vegetables more often than those with a lower education. In both areas, daily consumption of fruit tended to be more common among subjects with a higher education. In Pitkäranta, there were virtually no differences by employment status. In North Karelia, vegetable consumption was less common among the unemployed than the employed subjects. Only minor socio-economic differences in berry consumption were observed. The educational differences in vegetable consumption seemed to widen in Pitkäranta and narrow in North Karelia. A converging trend was observed, with the Russian consumption levels and socio-economic differences starting to approach those observed in Finland. This may be partly explained by the improvements in availability and affordability of fruit and vegetables in Pitkäranta.

How has the COVID Pandemic Impacted the Clinical Volume and Variety of an Academic Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program?

The importance of the consumption of a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, for overall health, has been highlighted by the UK government in recent years. Consumption of fruit and vegetables is considerably lower in Scotland than in other parts of the UK. Behavioural change is most likely to come about through a comprehensive understanding of the range of factors influencing fruit and vegetable consumption, and the nature of the interaction of these factors. With variations in fruit and vegetable consumption by place and social class, this study focused on an area of low fruit and vegetable consumption in Scotland, and compared this to an area of high fruit and vegetable consumption in England, with socio-economic profile matched. The determinants of consumption, and their interrelationship, were investigated using qualitative information from focus group discussions, and quantitative data from a structured questionnaire. Multivariate models of fruit and vegetables consumption were developed, using log linear analysis, logistic regression and discriminant analysis. The models developed identified significant differences between fruit and vegetable consumption behaviour. Fruit consumption was mainly influenced by sociodemographic variables,in particulars mokers tatus. The impact of place and social class was substantial, when these variables were considered in interaction with the other socio-demographic variables. In contrast, vegetable consumption was influenced by motivational and attitudinal factors. Of these, the extent to which vegetables satisfied `convenience' expectations, and `hedonic motivations' were the most important influences, critical to vegetable consumption. The findings also suggest that the development of a generic model of food choice may not be an achievable goal, since the models of these two (similar) foodstuffs are so different. Strategies to promote fruit and vegetable consumption, must address the different characteristics, and priorities, of low fruit and vegetable consumers.

To examine the associations of vegetable and/or fruit consumption with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Meta-analysis of observational studies. The electronic databases of PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE were searched up to September 2017 for observational studies concerning the associations of vegetable and/or fruit consumption with MetS. The pooled relative risk (RR) of MetS for the highest v. the lowest category of vegetable and/or fruit consumption, as well as their corresponding 95 % CI, were calculated. A total of twenty-six observational studies (twenty cross-sectional, one case-control and five cohort studies) were included in the meta-analysis. Specifically, sixteen studies were related to vegetable consumption and the overall multivariable-adjusted RR evidenced a negative association between vegetable consumption and MetS (RR=0·89, 95 % CI 0·85, 0·93; P<0·001). For fruit consumption, sixteen studies were included and the overall multivariable-adjusted RR demonstrated that fruit consumption was inversely associated with MetS (RR=0·81, 95 % CI 0·75, 0·88; P<0·001). For vegetable and fruit consumption, eight studies were included; the overall multivariable-adjusted RR showed that vegetable and fruit consumption was also negatively associated with MetS (RR=0·75, 95 % CI 0·63, 0·90; P=0·002). The existing evidence suggests that vegetable and/or fruit consumption is negatively associated with MetS. More well-designed prospective cohort studies are needed to elaborate the concerned issues further.

Relationship between Total Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Self-Reported Knee Pain in Older Adults.

How has the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted the Clinical Volume and Variety of an Academic Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program?

Fruits and vegetables may induce greater satiety, reduce hunger, decrease energy intake, and modulate energy metabolism, thereby playing a role in weight loss. To determine the associations between changes in fruit and vegetable consumption and weight change over a 5-year interval in Japanese adults. This cohort study included 54,015 subjects (54.6% female, mean age 56.5 years) of the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Cohort Study who had no known history of major chronic diseases at baseline. Data on fruit and vegetable consumption were collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Body weight was self-reported. We used multivariable linear mixed-effects regression models to examine the associations between changes in fruit and vegetable consumption and change in body weight. On average, body weight decreased by 25g [95% confidence interval (CI), 3, 47] for every 100g/d increase in total vegetable consumption. Change in fruit consumption was nonlinearly associated with weight change. Fruit consumption was directly associated with weight change among subjects who increased consumption (70g; 95% CI, 39, 101) but was not associated with weight change among subjects who reduced or did not change fruit consumption. These associations did not vary by sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) at baseline. The association with vegetables was restricted to yellow/red vegetables (- 74g; 95% CI, - 129, - 18) and allium vegetables (- 129g; 95% CI, - 231, - 28). Lower-fiber vegetables were inversely associated with weight change, whereas lower-fiber fruits or higher-energy fruits were directly associated with weight change beyond 0g/d change in consumption. Change in vegetable consumption was inversely associated with weight change while fruit consumption was positively associated with weight change among subjects who increased consumption. The influence of fruits and vegetables on weight change may depend on the characteristics of the fruits and vegetables.

Fruit and vegetable consumption among 3–5-year-old Finnish children and their parents: Is there an association?

Prevention of Covid-19 transmission by increasing immunity of the body with protein intake results in changes in people's dietary behavior. Pressure due to changing environment and loss of work leads to the tendency to eat sweet foods, preserved, high in fat and salt. This study aims to determine changes in food consumption patterns in Indonesia during the Covid-19 pandemic. Use a quick assessment of empirical facts about Indonesia's ongoing impact on Covid-19. The research approach framework conceptualizes Covid-19 as a 'Cause', and its effect on changes in food consumption patterns is "Consequent". The data used in this study from study literature uses references from national and international literature. Literature materials in the form of journals, articles, books, and news that discuss the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on people's behavior, especially food consumption behavior, which can be accessed in electronic media. Pandemic covid-19 in Indonesian society affects food consumption patterns, namely, in adults, consumption of vegetables, fruits, and spices increases. While in adolescence, consumption of sweets and fast food increases. This change in the diet affects immunity. A healthy diet increases immunity and reduces the potential for contracting covid-19. Changes in different diets require a tailored approach to community nutrition fulfillment programs. It is necessary to create a program to raise awareness among young people to implement a healthy diet, and a program to support the consistency of healthy diets that have been formed in the community due to the covid-19 pandemic.

Vegetable and fruit consumption is generally inversely associated with various cancer types, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The Netherlands cohort study on diet and cancer (NLCS) consists of 120,852 men and women, aged 55-69 years, who filled out a self-administered questionnaire that includes 150-item food-frequency questions and additional questions on lifestyle factors, at baseline in 1986. A case-cohort approach was used. After 9.3 years of follow-up, 275 microscopically confirmed incident cases were identified. Subjects with incomplete or inconsistent dietary data were excluded, leaving 260 RCC cases for analyses on fruit consumption and 249 RCC cases for analyses on vegetable consumption. Incidence rate ratios (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models. RRs for exposure variables are expressed per increment of 25 g/day and are adjusted for age, sex, smoking, body mass index and history of hypertension at baseline. The RRs for vegetable consumption were further adjusted for fruit consumption and vice versa. Total vegetable and fruit consumption (RR: 1.00; 95% CI 0.97-1.02), vegetable (RR: 1.00, 95% CI 0.96-1.06) and fruit consumption (RR: 1.00; 95% CI 0.97-1.03) were not associated with RCC risk. Also, no association existed for botanical subgroups of vegetables and fruit. For 30 individual vegetables and fruits, we observed one that significantly increased RR (mandarin consumption, RR: 1.76; 95% CI 1.28-2.42), which must be regarded cautiously because of multiple testing. These results suggest the absence of an association between vegetable and/or fruit consumption and RCC risk.

Glutathione S-transferase phenotypes in relation to genetic variation and fruit and vegetable consumption in an endoscopy-based population

Consumption of fruits and vegetables has been shown to contribute to mental and cognitive health in older adults from Western industrialized countries. However, it is unclear whether this effect replicates in older adults from non-Western developing countries. Thus, the present study examined the contribution of fruit and vegetable consumption to mental and cognitive health in older persons from China, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and Ghana. Representative cross-sectional and cross-national study.Setting/SubjectsWe used data from the WHO Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE), sampled in 2007 to 2010. Our final sample size included 28 078 participants. Fruit and vegetable consumption predicted an increased cognitive performance in older adults including improved verbal recall, improved delayed verbal recall, improved digit span test performance and improved verbal fluency; the effect of fruit consumption was much stronger than the effect of vegetable consumption. Regarding mental health, fruit consumption was significantly associated with better subjective quality of life and less depressive symptoms; vegetable consumption, however, did not significantly relate to mental health. Consumption of fruits is associated with both improved cognitive and mental health in older adults from non-Western developing countries, and consumption of vegetables is associated with improved cognitive health only. Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption might be one easy and cost-effective way to improve the overall health and quality of life of older adults in non-Western developing countries.

Limited data are available linking dietary intake of fruit and vegetables to breast cancer, in particular among the Middle Eastern population. The present study was done to investigate the association of fruit and vegetable consumption with the risk of breast cancer in Iranian adult women. Dietary intake of fruit and vegetables was assessed using a validated 106-item Willett-format semi-quantitative dish-based food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and breast cancer. Women aged >30 years, residing in Isfahan, Iran from July 2013 to July 2015. Breast cancer was diagnosed during the maximum of the last 6 months by physical examination and mammography findings. Overall, data on 350 cases and 700 controls were analyzed. After controlling for potential confounders, participants with the highest dietary intake of fruits had higher odds of breast cancer than those with the lowest intake (odds ratio [OR]: 8.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.37-15.50), while those who consumed highest amounts of vegetables were less likely to have breast cancer than their counterparts (OR: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.06-0.24). Although no significant associations were found between dietary intakes of fruits and vegetables and risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women, significant positive association between fruit consumption and breast cancer (OR: 16.80; 95% CI: 7.80, 36.21; P < .001) was observed in postmenopausal women. We found an inverse association between dietary intake of vegetables and breast cancer. Fruit consumption was significantly associated with greater odds of breast cancer in this study.