Fruit and vegetable consumption across generations of Brazilian primary care users

Abstract

Objectives: Despite the importance of generational approach to understand dietary patterns, studies on the topic are scarce, especially in primary health care. Thus, we aimed to analyze the association between generational status and fruit and vegetable (F + V) consumption across users of the Brazilian Primary Care Program, adjusted by health aspects, socioeconomic factors, and body mass index.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed from the baseline, randomized, controlled, community trial. Generational status was defined according to the year of birth as traditionalists (1934-1945), baby boomer (BB; 1946-1964), generation X (GX; 1965-1980), and generation Y (GY; 1981-1993). The consumption of F + V was classified as regular (≥5 times/wk) and adequate (3 servings of fruit/d and 3 of vegetables/d), analyzed together (F + V) and separately (fruit or vegetable) by food group.

Results: Of the 3356 participants, 18.1% were traditionalist, 59.0% BB, 19.7% GX, and 3.2% GY. The prevalence of regular and adequate F + V consumption was 61.7% and 37.2%, respectively. There were fewer chances of regular consumption of fruit and F + V for all generations in comparison with traditionalists. With regard to adequate consumption, there was less chance of consuming F + V only for individuals from GY and of F + V for GX and GY.

Conclusions: This is one of the first studies to investigate differences in F + V consumption according to the generational status in a health service. The findings are likely to support the design of strategies to promote F + V consumption, focusing on the younger population to promote health in the present and the future.

Keywords: Food consumption; Fruit; Generational status; Health promotion; Vegetables.