6010.0: Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 8:45 AM

Abstract #20168

Link between fruit and vegetable consumption and other health behaviors for adults, teens, and children in California

Michelle Oppen, MPH, CHES1, Susan B. Foerster, MPH, RD2, Sharon Sugerman, MS, RD, FADA1, Angie Keihner, MS1, Mark Hudes, PhD3, Sue A. Jolly, MBA4, and Pradeep Goel, DrPH, MSc, MPH5. (1) Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Section, Public Health Institute, 601 N 7th Street, PO Box 942732, MS-662, Sacramento, CA 94234-7320, 916-327-0959, moppen@dhs.ca.gov, (2) Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Section, California Department of Health Services, PO Box 942732, MS 662, Sacramento, CA 94234-7320, (3) Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of California- Berkeley, 1317 Washington Ave, Albany, CA 94706, (4) Fleishman-Hilliard, Inc, St. Louis, MO 63102, (5) Goel and Associates, 2008 Mineral Springs Drive, Roseville, CA 95747

Introduction: In California, 3 statewide surveys focusing on diet, exercise, and other health behaviors are conducted with children, adolescents, and adults. When results are compared, significant similarities emerge that deserve attention. Methods: In 1998, the California Teen Eating, Exercise and Nutrition Survey (CalTEENS) queried 1,213 randomly selected adolescents, ages 12-17, via telephone. In 1999, the California Dietary Practices Survey (CDPS) interviewed 1,492 randomly selected adults over the age of 18 via telephone. In 1999, the California Children’s Healthy Eating and Exercise Practices Survey (CalCHEEPS) asked a market research panel of households with children 9-11 to complete a parent-assisted food diary (814 participants) and a follow-up telephone interview with the child (394 participants). Results: For children, adolescents, and adults, higher fruit and vegetable (F/V) consumption was significantly correlated with physical activity (PA) and gardening (p < .05), while lower F/V consumption was correlated with eating more fast food (FF). For example, children consuming FF ate 2.5 mean servings of F/V compared to 3.0 servings for those who did not eat FF, adolescents consuming FF ate 4.0 mean servings of F/V compared to 4.4 servings for those who did not, and adults consuming FF ate 2.9 mean servings of F/V compared to 4.1 servings for those who did not. Conclusions: The links between fruit and vegetable consumption and other health behaviors are consistent and significant for children, teens, and adults. The health implications and a public policy response to these multigenerational findings will be reported and discussed. See www.phi.org, www.cancer.org, www.ca5aday.com

Learning Objectives: After this session, the participant will be able to: 1. Describe useful dietary and other health behavior assessments for children, adolescents, and adults using state-wide samples. 2. Recognize the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and each of three other behaviors. 3. Discuss the implications and recommendations for programs and policies.

Keywords: Food and Nutrition, Health Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA