The relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and declarative nutrition knowledge of residents in Blacon aged 17-45 years
Authors
Gleave, MarkAdvisors
Woodall, AlisonMorris, Mike
Publication Date
2014-09
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Despite the reported health benefits of consuming fruit and vegetables on a daily basis, many residents of areas of deprivation, such as Blacon, still do not appear to be meeting the ‘5 a day’ recommendations. This study assessed the correlation between declarative nutrition knowledge (the awareness of processes, events and constituents of food substances) and fruit and vegetable intake in a LLSOA (low-level super output area) in the North West of England. The aim was to understand the relevance of providing factual advice and recommendations to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. Method: 42 participants (16 males and 26 females) took part in this cross sectional, correlational study. All participants completed a nutrition knowledge questionnaire (adapted from Parmenter and Wardle, 1999) and a dietary instrument for nutrition education (DINE) (Roe et al, 1994). During analysis, the participants were categorised in to age and gender groups. Average scores for fruit and vegetable consumption and declarative nutrition knowledge were compared. Nutrition knowledge was used as the independent variable against fruit and vegetable consumption in order to observe a correlation between the two. Spearmans Rank Correlation Coefficient showed that a statistically significant positive correlation was apparent between combined daily fruit and vegetable intake and total declarative nutrition knowledge (rs = 0.33, p = 0.033). Although numerous correlations were observed, none appeared stronger than combined daily fruit and vegetable intake and expert advice (rs = 0.368, p = 0.016). Females scored significantly better than males in expert advice (U = 124, p = 0.020) and daily fruit intake (U = 129.5, p = 0.035). The eldest age group (35-44 years) performed significantly better than the middle age group (25-34 years) for answers on health and disease (F(2,39) = 5.588, p = 0.007). The significant findings from this study indicate that, while food intake is a complex issue involving a wide range of factors, declarative nutrition knowledge could be used to predict a small percentage of variance of fruit and vegetable intake in Blacon. This is significant for health authorities, governments and local communities, as efforts should continue to convey health messages and provide advice to the people who consume the least amount of fruit and vegetables in the least affluent areas.Publisher
University of ChesterType
Thesis or dissertationLanguage
enCollections
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