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For children it is important to consume enough vegetables to establish healthy dietary patterns. Taste acceptance is an important factor contributing to food choice and consumption. Sweetness and sourness enhancement can increase acceptance of specific foods in children. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sweetness and sourness enhancement on acceptance of cucumber and green capsicum purees in 5-6-year-old children. Three concentrations of sucrose (2, 5 and 10%) and citric acid (0.05, 0.08 and 0.15%) were added to cucumber and green capsicum purees. Children (n = 70, 5.7 ± 0.5 yrs) assessed acceptance of the vegetable purees using a 5-point hedonic facial scale. Sweetness enhancement significantly increased acceptance of cucumber purees (5 and 10% sucrose) and green capsicum purees (2 and 10% sucrose) compared to unmodified purees. Sourness enhancement (0.05, 0.08 and 0.15% citric acid) did not significantly influence acceptance of cucumber and green capsicum purees compared to unmodified purees. Children differed in acceptance of vegetable purees with added sucrose and citric acid. Sweetness likers (cucumber 77.1%, green capsicum 58.6%) accepted sucrose concentrations better than sweetness non-likers in both vegetables. Sourness likers (cucumber 50.0%, green capsicum 44.3%) accepted medium and high concentrations of citric acid better than sourness non-likers in cucumber and all citric acid concentrations in green capsicum. We conclude that enhancement of sweetness increases acceptance of cucumber and green capsicum purees in most children whereas enhancement of sourness is better accepted by only a few children. This study highlights the challenge to get children to better accept vegetables, since only sweetness enhancement improved acceptance while addition of sucrose is undesirable. For a small subset of children enhancing sourness might be an alternative strategy to increase acceptance of vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Evidence on the effects of ambient PM 2.5 on lung function is limited among adults and the effect modification by dietary fruit and vegetables remains largely unknown. Methods We interviewed 29,032 participants aged 50 years and older from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health. Annual average PM 2.5 levels were estimated for each community using satellite data. We applied multi-level linear regressions to examine the association between ambient PM 2.5 and lung function (forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1-sec (FEV 1 ), FEV 1 /FVC ratio, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and forced expiratory flow between 25th and 75th percentiles of FVC (FEF 25–75 )). Results We found that ambient PM 2.5 was associated with lower lung functions. Each 10 μg/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 corresponded to reductions of 123.58 ml in FVC (95% CI: −185.21, −61.95), 126.64 ml in FEV 1 (95% CI: −186.04, −67.23) and 178.93 ml/s FEV 25–75 (95% CI: −249.20, −108.66). Lower effect estimates were observed among those with higher consumption of fruit and vegetables. Conclusion Our study suggests that exposure to ambient PM 2.5 might be one risk factor of reduced lung function in adults and that higher consumption of fruit and vegetables may mitigate this effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today the consumption of fresh vegetables is highly recommended not only for the intake of nutrients, but also for the healthy properties of secondary metabolites involved in the prevention of many disorders. In the present work, phenolic acids and flavonoids extracted from four green ( Cichorium intybus var. sativus and var. foliosum ) and a red spotted (a cross between C. intybus var. silvestre cv “Treviso” and C. endivia var. foliosum ) salads were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry. Among the 76 compounds detected in this work, five organic acids (two malic acid derivatives, two pyroglutamic hexoside isomers, and cis -aconitic acid), ten hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (ferulic, malonyl caffeoylquinic, and caffeoylmethylglutaroylquinic acids, cinnamoyl- and caffeoyl-malate, coumaroyl, sinapoyl, feruloyl, and coumaroylcaffeoyl glycosides, dicaffeoyl lactone, 3- O -caffeoyl-4- O -(3-hydroxyglutaroylquinic acid), four flavonols (quercetin-di- O -glucoside, quercetin-3- O -malonylh exo syl-7- O -h exo side, myricetin-3- O- glucoside, and isorhamnetin-3- O -glucoside), and cyanidin-3- O -glucuronyl-5- O -h exo side have been identified in chicory salads for the first time. These data, together with the results obtained in our previous investigations on Cichorium genus Italian salads, provide a contribution to a more exhaustive identification of the secondary metabolites profile of each considered plant, that could be also useful in building/selecting hybrids with agronomic and peculiar healthy features, even using traditional methods of cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To develop and test the effectiveness of a mobile-phone based ecological momentary intervention (EMI) to increase fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption in low-consuming young adults.Methods: A two-week randomised controlled trial of low-FV consuming young adults ages 18-25 years (n = 171) compared three conditions: ecological momentary intervention (EMI), fruit and vegetable intervention (FVI), and a diet-as-usual control (ANZCTRN12615000183583). Participants in the EMI condition were sent two targeted text messages a day for 13 days and were asked to increase daily FV consumption to at least five servings. These messages were designed, using the Health Action Process Approach, to address salient beliefs identified as effective in a preliminary focus group investigation. Participants in the FVI condition were provided two servings of FV a day (carrots, kiwifruit or oranges, and apples) to eat in addition to their current diet. Control participants ate their normal diet. Participants reported their daily servings of FV each evening during the study using a smartphone-delivered survey. Blood samples testing plasma vitamin C and total carotenoids were taken pre- and post-intervention as an objective biomarker of FV intake.Results: Participants in the EMI and FVI conditions reported higher daily servings of FV - approximately +1 serving per day more compared to control (EMI = 3.7 servings/day; FVI = 3.7 servings/day; Control = 2.8 servings/day) and approximately +1.2 servings compared to baseline. Increases in objective biomarkers for the experimental conditions supported the validity of self-reported FV consumption.Conclusions: Our results provide initial proof of concept that EMI strategies (with minor financial assistance) are as effective as giving FV in increasing FV consumption in educated, low-consuming young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young children are not meeting recommendations for vegetable intake. Our objective is to provide evidence of validity and reliability for a pictorial vegetable behavioral assessment for use by federally funded community nutrition programs. Parent/child pairs (n=133) from Head Start and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children [WIC] provided parent-administered vegetable tools, three child 24-hour diet recalls, child blood sample and measured heights/weights. The 10-item Focus on Veggies scale, with an alpha of .83 and a stability reliability coefficient of .74, was positively related to vegetables in cup equivalents [p≤.05]; dietary intakes of folate, vitamin C, β-carotene, potassium and magnesium [p≤.05-.01]; and soluble fiber [p≤.001]. The child vegetable scores were related to the parent's mediators [p≤.00001] and vegetable behaviors [p≤.00001]. Children's plasma inflammatory markers were negatively related to the 10 item scale [p≤.05] and are indicators of the child's health status. The positive relationship between the serum carotenoid index and a sub-scale of child vegetable behaviors offered additional support for criterion validity [p≤.05]. Finally, the inverse relationship of BMI-for-age percentile one year post baseline and a sub-scale of child vegetable behaviors supported the predictive validity [p≤.05]. Focus on Veggies, a simple assessment tool, can inform practitioners about the child's health status. A child with a high score, shows a healthful profile with a lower inflammation index, higher carotenoid index, lower BMI and higher vegetable intake. In conclusion, validity of Focus on Veggies has been demonstrated using vegetable cup equivalents and micronutrient intakes, anthropometry and blood biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Australian and most international Dietary Guidelines recommend people consume more fruits and vegetables (F&V) to maintain a healthy weight and reduce chronic disease risk. Previous Australian and international surveys have shown sub-optimal consumption of F&V.Objectives: This study aimed to assess adults' F&V consumption, knowledge of recommended servings, readiness to change, barriers/enabling factors, so that this knowledge might be used for campaigns that support improved consumption.Material and Methods: An online survey of a representative sample of adults living in New South Wales, Australia (n = 2474) measuring self-reported F&V consumption; attitudes towards F&V consumption; stage of change for increasing F&V; barriers to consumption; and knowledge of cancer-health benefits.Results: F&V consumption was below recommendations, with vegetable consumption notably low. Only 10% of participants ate at least five servings of vegetables/day (median intake was two daily servings), and 57% consumed two servings fruit/day. There was poor recognition that intake of vegetables was inadequate and this was a barrier to improving vegetable consumption; with preferences for other foods, habit and cost also important barriers. Key barriers to increasing fruit intake were habit, preferences for other foods, perishability, and cost. For vegetable consumption, 49% of participants were in the pre-contemplation stage of change, whereas for fruits 56% were in the action/maintenance stage. Sixty-four percent of respondents believed that eating F&V would protect against cancer, with 56% reporting they thought not eating enough F&V would cause cancer.Implications: Understanding what motivates and prevents people from consuming F&V is important for developing effective health promotion programs. Similar to previous surveys, there has been little shift in F&V consumption. Social marketing campaigns have been shown to improve health-related behaviours, and this study may assist in identifying audience segmentation for better targeted campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health messages are a commonly used way to promote changes in dietary habits but their efficacy could be enhanced by strategies such as the way in which the presented arguments are framed. This study aimed to test the effectiveness of framed messages (gain vs. loss) on behavioural intention and fruit and vegetable (FV) intake, comparing predictions based on prominent theoretical perspectives on message framing (function of the health behaviour and recipients' motivational orientation) and by further exploring the role of baseline intentions as a potential moderator of the framing effects. Undergraduate students (N = 180) completed the three assessment points in time. At baseline, individual moderators (motivational orientation and intentions) and fruit and vegetable intake were assessed. One week later, participants were randomly assigned to the loss or gain-framed message and indicated their intentions for FV intake the following week. A week later, FV intake over the previous week was assessed. The gain-frame was not conducive, per se, to higher intentions or behaviour. Having intention as the outcome, only baseline intentions moderated the effects of message frame. When considering FV intake as the outcome, both motivational orientation and baseline intentions moderated the effects of message frame, with the loss-frame promoting higher FV intake among individuals who were prevention-oriented and had higher baseline intentions. Findings suggest that the success of framed messages for FV intake depends upon the recipient's characteristics, such as motivational orientation, baseline intentions, and cultural background, with implications for health communication interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Higher vegetable intake has been related to lower risks of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, several cancers and obesity. Yet children consume fewer than the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables set forth by the USDA. Exposure to vegetables has successfully improved children's liking for and consumption of vegetables particularly for children younger than two years. In contrast, associative conditioning seems necessary for older children, especially with bitter vegetables. We review studies using both exposure and associative conditioning to teach children to like vegetables, including flavor–flavor learning and flavor–calorie learning. Recognizing these different processes helps reconcile discrepant literature and may provide techniques for increasing preferences for vegetables in children. Associative conditioning and exposure can be used by parents and others to enhance children's liking for and consumption of vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of two subsequent intervention components (motivational and self-regulatory components), placed in different order, to promote fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. Methods: After baseline assessment, university students ( N  = 205, aged 18–26 years) were allocated to two groups. One group received a motivational intervention (outcome expectancies, risk perception, and task self-efficacy) followed by a self-regulatory intervention (planning and dietary self-efficacy) after 17 days. The second group received the same intervention conditions in the opposite order. Follow-up assessments were done after another 17 days. Results: Both intervention sequences yielded gains in terms of FV intake and self-efficacy. However, this gain was only due to the self-regulatory component whereas the motivational component did not contribute to the changes. Moreover, changes in intention and self-efficacy mediated between intervention sequence and follow-up behavior, suggesting that improving these proximal predictors of FV intake was responsible for the behavioral gains. Conclusions: Findings highlight the superiority of a self-regulatory intervention over a motivational intervention when it comes to dietary changes in this sample of young adults. Moreover, changes in dietary self-efficacy may drive nutritional changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Vegetables in the dark green group are the most nutritious, yet intake is low. Studies suggest that an increase in fruit and vegetables may improve diet-related health outcomes of African Americans. The aim of this exploratory study was to use the Reasoned Action Approach (RAA) to qualitatively assess salient, top-of-the-mind, beliefs (consequences, circumstances and referents) about eating and buying more dark green leafy vegetables each week over the next 3months. Adult (n =30), Midwestern African–American women, who buy and prepare food for their household participated in a face-to-face salient belief elicitation. A content analysis of verbatim text and a descriptive analysis were conducted. Findings suggest that the RAA can be used to identify salient consequences, circumstances and referents about eating and buying more dark green leafy vegetables. The use of the RAA allowed for the extraction of specific beliefs that may aid in the development of nutrition education programs that consider the varying priorities, motivators and barriers that subgroups within the population have in regard to buying and consuming dark green leafy vegetables. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present randomized controlled intervention study tested the hypothesis that a personally adaptable and realistic “just 1 more” goal would be more effective for increasing fruits and vegetables (FV) intake compared to the common “5 a day” goal. Study participants (N =84 students, 85% female) consumed less than 4 servings of FVs per day at recruitment. During the 1-week intervention, participants randomized to the 5aday-group were asked to eat 5 servings of FVs/day; participants of the just1more-group were asked to eat 1 serving more of FVs than they usually did, and participants of the control group were instructed to eat as usual. Measurements were taken before (T1), directly following (T2), and 1week after (T3) the intervention. Participants in the 5aday-group increased their average FV intake significantly by about one serving from 2.49 at T1 to 3.45 servings/day at T3. At T3, only the 5aday-group—not the just1more-group—had a significantly higher FV intake than the control group. Contrary to the hypothesis, the “5 a day” goal was more effective than “just 1 more” for increasing FV intake. Results of our study support the rationale of the “5 a day” campaign, at least in the short term. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the association between fruit and vegetable intake (FVI) and mental health disorders. Method: This study used data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), a repeated cross-sectional study of Canadians with five waves between 2000 until 2009 (n=296,121 aged 12years or older). FVI was assessed based on frequency of consumption. The primary outcome was a major depressive episode over the previous 12months. Logistic regression models adjusted for age, gender, household income, education, physical activity, chronic illness and smoking. Results: In the first wave, greater FVI was significantly associated with lower odds of depression (OR: 0.85 95% CI:0.78–0.92). A combined estimate of all 5 waves demonstrated similar results (OR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.71–0.75). Relative to those with the lowest FVI, those with the greatest FVI also had significantly lower odds of suffering from distress (OR: 0.87 95% CI: 0.78–0.98). These results were consistent across other waves. Perceived poor mental health status and previous diagnosis of a mood disorder and anxiety disorder also demonstrated statistically significant inverse associations with FVI (all p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest a potentially important role of a healthy diet in the prevention of depression and anxiety. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Carotenoids are plant pigments which are thought to decrease the risk of degenerative diseases via their antioxidant properties. The aim of this work was to create a carotenoid database for clearly identified Swiss vegetables, grown under known conditions and analyzed using a standardized protocol. We determined the six major carotenoids in the vegetables most frequently consumed in Switzerland. Chlorophyll a and b were additionally measured in green leafy vegetables. Lutein and β-carotene concentrations in green leafy vegetables ranged from 0.2 to 13mg and 0.2 to 8mg/100g fresh matter, respectively, with the highest total carotenoid contents in Brassicaceae. Additionally, we identified strong correlations (R 2 >0.9) between the lutein and β-carotene concentrations and the total chlorophyll contents in different botanical families. Orange and red vegetables contained a greater diversity of carotenoids, with α- and β-carotene being the predominant carotenoids in orange carrots and lycopene in tomatoes. Peppers additionally contained zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin. Based on these data, and on the estimated consumption of the different vegetables in Switzerland, we estimate that 3.3mg β-carotene, 2.2mg lycopene and 1.8mg lutein are consumed daily from fresh vegetables. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Children’s unwillingness to try new foods, or food neophobia, may impact dietary behaviors. As part of an effort to evaluate Farm to School programs, the Fruit and Vegetable Neophobia Instrument (FVNI) was developed to measure student attitudes toward new fruits and vegetables. A self-administered, paper/pencil, 18-item questionnaire, the FVNI was adapted from the Food Neophobia Scale. The FVNI has two subscales: a fruit subscale that asks about a child’s willingness to try new fruits in different circumstances and an analogous vegetable subscale. The FVNI was administered to 1485 third-through fifth-grade students (ages 8–10years) from nine schools in two states at the start of the 2009–2010 school year. Data analysis used factor analyses, reliabilities, and LISREL structural equation models. The FVNI exhibited a two-factor structure and strong measures of model fit (χ 2 /df =5.36; Goodness of Fit =0.92; Adjusted Goodness of Fit = 0.89; Non-Normed Fit Index =0.97; RMSEA =0.07; and RMSR =0.052). In this exploratory analysis, the FVNI proved to be internally consistent in assessing third-through fifth-grade students’ fruit and vegetable neophobia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present study assessed whether factual nutritional information on portion sizes helps consumers to select healthier meals. 124 people were invited to serve themselves lunch from a ‘fake food buffet’ containing 55 replica food items. Participants in the control group were instructed to serve themselves a meal, as they would normally eat from the given selections (control). Participants in the second condition were asked to select a healthy, balanced meal (instruction). People in the third group were also instructed to select a healthy meal, but in addition, they received nutrition information (instruction+information). The results suggest that participants in the instruction and instruction+information condition chose fewer sweets and desserts (F (2,121) =6.91, P <.05) but more fruits (F (2,121) =5.16, P <.05). This led to overall healthier meals than in the control group. All other food categories, including vegetables, were not altered. No difference was found between the two experimental groups. The results indicate that factual nutrition information does not help consumers compose healthier meals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction: We hypothesized that fruit/vegetable intake and eating behaviors mediate the relationship between experimental condition and weight loss in a randomized trial evaluating a text-message based weight loss program. Methods: Overweight/obese individuals from San Diego, CA (N=52 with complete data) were randomly assigned in 2007 into one of two groups for four months: 1) the intervention group that received 2–5 weight management text-messages p/day; 2) the usual-care comparison group. Three 24-hour recalls assessed fruit/vegetable intake change and the eating behavior inventory (EBI) measured change in eating behaviors. Regression path models tested intervention mediation. Results: Direct effects of the intervention were found for change in body weight (b =−3.84, R2 =0.074), fruit/vegetable intake (b =2.00, R2 =0.083), and EBI scores (b =7.15, R2 =0.229) (ps<0.05). The treatment group to weight change path was not statistically significant (b =−0.673, R2 =0.208) when fruit/vegetable intake change and EBI score change were specified as intervention mediators in the model. The total indirect effect was 3.17lb indicating that the indirect paths explained 82.6% of the total effect on weight change. Discussion: Fruit/vegetable intake and eating behaviors mediated the intervention''s effect on weight change. The findings suggest that sending text-messages that promote healthy eating strategies resulted in moderate short-term weight loss. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Vegetable consumption is low among many children. This study compared the efficacy of the exposure learning strategies mere exposure, flavour–flavour and flavour–nutrient learning in changing children’s intake of a novel vegetable. An unmodified artichoke purée was served at pre-testing. Hereafter children were exposed 10 times to unmodified purée (mere exposure, n =32), a sweetened purée (flavour–flavour learning, n =33) or an energy dense purée with added fat (flavour–nutrient learning, n =39). Unmodified and sweet purée contained approximately 200kJ/100g; the energy dense purée 580kJ/100g. The unmodified purée was served again at post-testing, 3 and 6months after last exposure to monitor long-term effects of learning. Intake of purée increased in the mere exposure and flavour–flavour condition, and was unchanged in the flavour–nutrient condition. Mere exposure changed children’s intake by the 5th exposure, flavour–flavour learning by the 10th. Mere exposure led to the largest increase in intake of unmodified purée at post-test and over 6months. Children following flavour–flavour learning consumed more of the sweet purée than of unmodified purée. About 30–40% of the children were resistant to acceptance changes. The results of this study imply that mere exposure and flavour–flavour learning are powerful strategies for changing children’s acceptance of a novel vegetable, even though a substantial number of children are resistant to these types of exposure learning. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study evaluated the efficacy of a theory of planned behaviour (TPB) based intervention to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. The extent to which fruit and vegetable consumption and change in intake could be explained by the TPB was also examined. Participants were randomly assigned to two levels of intervention frequency matched for intervention content (low frequency n =92, high frequency n =102). Participants received TPB-based email messages designed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, messages targeted attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control (PBC). Baseline and post-intervention measures of TPB variables and behaviour were collected. Across the entire study cohort, fruit and vegetable consumption increased by 0.83 servings/day between baseline and follow-up. Intention, attitude, subjective norm and PBC also increased (p <.05). The TPB successfully modelled fruit and vegetable consumption at both time points but not behaviour change. The increase of fruit and vegetable consumption is a promising preliminary finding for those primarily interested in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. However, those interested in theory development may have concerns about the use of this model to explain behaviour change in this context. More high quality experimental tests of the theory are needed to confirm this result. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: We implemented a theory-based randomized controlled trial (Living Free of Tobacco, Plus (LIFT+) in ten rural middle schools and assessed impact on tobacco use and fruit/vegetable (F/V) intake in 2008–2010. Data on F/V intake at baseline, immediate post intervention, and 1-year follow-up are presented. Methods: Schools were randomized to intervention or control groups. Goal setting, peer leaders, and class workshops with parent involvement, were intervention features; community partners were supportive. Seventh graders filled out surveys on health behaviors, psycho-social variables, and demographic characteristics. Adjusted models comparing intervention and control conditions were analyzed. Results: Sample (n=1119) was 48.5% female, 50% White, with a mean age of 12.7years. Mean F/V servings were significantly higher in intervention schools at immediate post (3.19 servings) and at 1-year (3.02 servings) compared to controls (2.90, 2.69 respectively). Knowledge of 5-a-day recommendation was significantly higher in intervention schools at immediate post test (75.0%) versus controls (53.8%) but not at 1-year follow-up. Conclusions: Intervention schools reported significantly higher mean F/V servings at post intervention and 1-year, and for knowledge of F/V recommendations at immediate post compared to controls. Higher levels of parent and community involvement may further increase F/V intake in future interventions. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01412697. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pot culture experiments were conducted to study dietary intake of heavy metals via vegetables, spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) grown under the influence of atmospheric deposition and wastewater irrigation. The results indicated substantial accumulation of heavy metals in vegetables, which contribute significantly to dietary intake of total heavy metals ranging from 1.34 to 110.40μgg−1 through leaves (spinach), 1.04 to 105.86μgg−1 through root (radish) and 0.608 to 82.19μgg−1 through fruits (tomato). Concentration of Cd, Ni and Pb in vegetables exceeded the safe limits of Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954. Health risk index for Cd and Pb exceeded the safe limits set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The study indicated that the atmospheric depositions as well as wastewater irrigation have significantly elevated the levels of heavy metals in dietary vegetables presenting a significant threat for the health of users. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper describes the stages of change in fruit and vegetable intake among patients with atherosclerotic disease, identifying demographic, socioeconomic, and health predictive factors for each stage of change. It is a cross-sectional study of 290 consecutive patients with atherosclerotic disease submitted to endovascular procedures in two referral hospitals. The staging algorithm included intentional and behavioral criteria, and patients were categorized into “pre-action” (pre-contemplation, contemplation, and preparation), or “action” (action, non-reflective action, and maintenance). Most of the patients were in action for the fruits intake (67.9%) and pre-action for the vegetables intake (69.1%). The logistic regression analysis for the stages of action change for fruits intake has identified as predictive factors, the higher level of education and consultation with a cardiologist. For the stages of action change for vegetable intake, absence of abdominal obesity, previous cardiac surgery, and consultation with dietitian have shown significant association. This study has shown differences in the distribution of stages of change for the fruits and vegetable intake among the patients with atherosclerotic disease. The different predictive factors for the stage of changes for fruits and vegetables suggest that approaches of nutritional orientation of the individuals must be distinct for each eating behavior. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to unveil the mechanisms by which an exercise self-regulation intervention affects physical exercise in a rehabilitation context. The second aim was to investigate whether the intervention led to changes in fruit and vegetable intake that was not targeted in the intervention. Finally, it was tested whether changes in exercise habit strength may explain such a transfer effect. Method: A quasi-experimental design was conducted in Germany between 2009 and 2011 with 725 rehabilitation patients. Patients received either a self-regulation intervention or an online questionnaire. Six weeks after discharge, self-reported changes in exercise and dietary behaviors, exercise habit strength, and cognitions were measured. Quantitative results: The exercise self-regulation intervention led to a higher increment in exercise behavior, exercise habit strength, and fruit and vegetable intake than the control condition. Changes in physical exercise were mediated by changes in action control (slope =0.04; 99% CI=0.01 to 0.06) and satisfaction (slope =0.05; 99% CI:=0.02 to 0.08), but not in action planning. Changes in fruit and vegetable intake were mediated by changes in exercise habit strength (slope =0.05; 99% CI=0.01 to 0.08). Conclusion: Interventions could be optimized if they aim at fostering exercise habits. This in turn may also facilitate transfer effects from one health behavior to the other. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To examine the effects of a multi-component, theory-based, 2.5-year intervention on children''s fruit and vegetable consumption, preferences, knowledge and body mass index. Methods: Four inner city elementary schools in the Northeastern United States were randomized to an intervention (n =149) or control group (n =148) in 2005. Fruit and vegetable consumption during school lunch (measured by plate waste), preferences, and knowledge, as well as body mass index, were assessed five times across 3.5years (pre-intervention, spring 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009). Hierarchical linear modeling was used to analyze program outcomes. Results: At the first post-test assessment, children in the experimental group ate 0.28 more servings/lunch of fruit and vegetable relative to children in the control group and changes in fruit and vegetable consumption were found in each year throughout the program. However, this effect declined steadily across time so that by the delayed one-year follow-up period there was no difference between the groups in fruit and vegetable consumption. There were persistent intervention effects on children''s knowledge. There were no effects on fruit and vegetable preferences and body mass index throughout the study. Conclusion: Although there was initial fruit and vegetable behavior change, annual measurements indicated a gradual decay of behavioral effects. These data have implications for the design of school-based fruit and vegetable interventions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Theory of Planned Behavior was used to determine if dietitians personal characteristics and beliefs about fresh vegetable food safety predict whether they currently teach, intend to teach, or neither currently teach nor intend to teach food safety information to their clients. Dietitians who participated in direct client education responded to this web-based survey (n =327). The survey evaluated three independent belief variables: Subjective Norm, Attitudes, and Perceived Behavioral Control. Spearman rho correlations were completed to determine variables that correlated best with current teaching behavior. Multinomial logistical regression was conducted to determine if the belief variables significantly predicted dietitians teaching behavior. Binary logistic regression was used to determine which independent variable was the better predictor of whether dietitians currently taught. Controlling for age, income, education, and gender, the multinomial logistical regression was significant. Perceived behavioral control was the best predictor of whether a dietitian currently taught fresh vegetable food safety. Factors affecting whether dietitians currently taught were confidence in fresh vegetable food safety knowledge, being socially influenced, and a positive attitude toward the teaching behavior. These results validate the importance of teaching food safety effectively and may be used to create more informed food safety curriculum for dietitians. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Using a repeated measures design, in a nursery setting, a modelling and rewards intervention targeted preschool children''s consumption of 8 fruit and 8 vegetables (presented as 4 different food sets, each comprising 2 fruit and 2 vegetables). During the 16-day Baseline 1, and subsequent baselines, the children received a different food set daily, first at snacktime and again at lunchtime; consumption of these foods was not rewarded. In the 32-day fruit intervention phase, Food Set 2 and Food Set 3 were presented on alternate days; rewards were presented only at snacktime, and only for consumption of the fruit components. Following Baseline 2 and Baseline 3, the intervention targeted snack consumption of the vegetable components of Food Sets 1 and 4. Finally, Baseline 4, and 6-month Follow up were conducted. The interventions produced large and significant increases in target fruit and vegetable consumption with smaller, but significant, increases for the paired, opposite category, non-target foods. Immediately after each intervention, increases based on within-category generalisation were also evident. All increases generalised strongly to the no-rewards lunchtime context. Contrary to theories predicting response decrements, the increases in preschoolers’ fruit and vegetable consumption were maintained at Follow up, six months after rewards were withdrawn. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Four brief food frequency questionnaires were developed and validated to measure an adult''s usual daily intake of fruit or vegetable servings over the past month. Fifty males and 50 females, aged 25–52 years, completed two fruit instruments, two vegetable instruments, and a dietary history (the reference method). Individual agreement and group mean estimation were assessed. The 5-item fruit instrument and the 15-item vegetable instrument performed best. At an individual level, the 5-item fruit instrument had 64% sensitivity and 88% specificity for assessing goal attainment (≥2 fruit servings/day), while the 15-item vegetable instrument had 67% sensitivity and 82% specificity for measuring goal attainment (≥3 vegetable servings/day). At a group level, the 15-item vegetable instrument closely estimated mean intake (ratio of geometric means=0.94), while the 5-item fruit instrument overestimated mean intake by 32%. Nevertheless, when it was used to rank participants, reference method fruit servings increased across the quartiles of intake. These two instruments can be used to assess goal attainment. This vegetable instrument can also be used to estimate group mean intakes, while the fruit instrument can be used to rank participants. Used appropriately, these instruments can be used for screening, monitoring, and evaluation purposes in New Zealand public health and clinical settings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of parent and child characteristics in explaining children''s fruit and vegetable intakes. In 2008, parents of preschoolers (mean age 3.5 years) from 56 schools in Belgium-Flanders completed questionnaires including a parent and child fruit and vegetable food frequency questionnaire, general parenting styles (laxness, overreactivity and positive interactions), specific food parenting practices (child-centered and parent-centered feeding practices) and children''s characteristics (children''s shyness, emotionality, stubbornness, activity, sociability, and negative reactions to food). Multiple linear regression analyses (n =755) indicated a significant positive association between children''s fruit and vegetable intake and parent''s intake and a negative association with children''s negative reactions to food. No general parenting style dimension or child personality characteristic explained differences in children''s fruit and vegetable intakes. Child-centered feeding practices were positively related to children''s fruit and vegetable intakes, while parent-centered feeding practices were negatively related to children''s vegetable intakes. In order to try to increase children''s fruit and vegetable consumption, parents should be guided to improve their own diet and to use child-centered parenting practices and strategies known to decrease negative reactions to food. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this study is to investigate the test–retest reliability of a short computerized assessment of young children''s fruit (F) and vegetable (V) preferences, and to compare children''s responses with their parents’ responses. A paper-and-pencil F and V preference and F and V food frequency questionnaire was completed by 194 parents. Data on 139 preschoolers was available for test and retest of F preferences and data on 135 children for V. F and V preference scales were computed, including the ten most commonly consumed F and the ten most commonly consumed V. Alpha reliabilities were good (F=0.78; V=0.76) and test–retest intraclass correlations were high (ICC for F=0.74; V=0.75). Agreement between parents’ and children''s reports was moderate (F: ICC=0.48, V: ICC=0.41). Children reported more often to have never consumed an item, and less often the midcategory “not yummy, not yucky but ok”. Covariance analysis indicated differences in agreement by school and mothers’ education level with a lower agreement for those of lower social status. A weak, but significant association was found between children''s reported preferences and children''s consumption (F: r =0.19, V: r =0.25). The results are promising, but additional validation is needed in a representative sample and should further explore the sources of disagreements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A scale to measure adult decisional balance to eat more fruits and vegetables was developed and confirmed, and its psychometric properties were assessed. Two simple random samples of adults ages 25–60 years were selected from a nationally representative sampling frame. The development survey had a 72% response rate (n =231). The confirmation survey had a 67.4% response rate (n =2132). In both surveys, a self-administered questionnaire assessed demographics, fruit and vegetable intakes, stages of change, and decisional balance. Principal components analysis with varimax rotation and confirmatory factor analysis were performed. The decisional balance scale had three reliable subscales: “health pros,” “non-health pros,” and “cons.” Model fit was adequate for a “pros” and “cons” hierarchical structure. For both fruits and vegetables, health pros increased significantly between precontemplation and contemplation stages, surpassing the cons. Non-health pros increased significantly between precontemplation and contemplation fruit stages, surpassing the cons in preparation stage. Between precontemplation and action stages, health pros increased (mean effect size=0.90 [fruit] and 0.80 [vegetables]) and cons decreased (mean effect size=0.27 [fruit] and 0.35 [vegetables]). Heterogeneity in this sample may have diluted these effect sizes. This decisional balance scale is valid and reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The purpose of this paper was to examine the contribution of individual, social and environmental factors to predicting fruit and vegetable consumption among women of low socioeconomic position (SEP). An Australian community sample of 355 women of low SEP provided survey data on sociodemographic information, diet (fruit and vegetable consumption), and various cognitive, behavioural, social and perceived environmental influences on healthy eating. Information on the availability and accessibility of major chain supermarkets and fruit and vegetable stores from participant''s residence was collected through objective audits. Women who were older, dieting to lose weight, had a greater taste preference for fruit and perceived the cost of fruit to be lower were more likely to be high fruit consumers. Women who had a high BMI were more likely to be high vegetable consumers. Women who perceived a greater availability of healthy foods in their neighbourhoods were more likely to be high fruit and vegetable consumers. Strategies aimed at increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among low SEP women should focus on modifying perceptions about the cost, availability and taste of fruits and vegetables. Tailoring nutrition interventions to accommodate differences in age, weight-control practices and weight status may also prove beneficial. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Children''s food preferences play a major role in their food choices and consumption. The objective of the present study was to examine if repeated tastings of selected vegetables in a school setting increased children''s liking of these items. A total of 360 fourth- and fifth-grade students attending four low-income, public elementary schools in southeastern Louisiana volunteered to participate. During the spring of 2008, children were offered a taste of carrots, peas, tomatoes, and bell peppers once a week for 10 weeks. At each tasting session children recorded whether they swallowed each of the vegetables, spit it into the napkin, or did not put it in their mouth and indicated their liking for each vegetable using a Likert-type response scale. Approximately one-half of the children tasted eight of ten times during the program (46.5% for those who began disliking and 68.5% for those who began liking the vegetables). Proc Glimmix analyses indicated that for children who began the program disliking the vegetables, repeated tasting improved liking scores for carrots, peas, and tomatoes; liking for bell peppers did not change. The number of children who reported liking or liking a lot for previously disliked vegetables was greater after eight or nine taste exposures. Repeated tasting of less-liked vegetables by children in a cafeteria-based setting is a strategy to promote liking of these items and is effective in approximately half of the participants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To change dietary behaviors, people must be motivated to do so. But intentions often do not translate into behavior. Strategic planning (as a mediator) is expected to move people from intention to action. However, individuals who lack perceived self-efficacy might fail to apply their plans when encountering challenging situations. Thus, self-efficacy might operate as a moderator variable when it comes to studying the mediator effects of planning on behaviors. This study examines the interactive role of planning and self-efficacy in the context of dietary changes. A longitudinal sample of 411 employees was surveyed twice in terms of their fruit and vegetable consumption over a 4-week interval. Intentions, planning, and fruit and vegetable consumption were specified as a mediator chain with self-efficacy as a moderator at two stages of the putative change process. Baseline behavior served as a covariate in the model. Intentions were translated into dietary behavior by planning. Self-efficacy moderated this mediation at the second stage, reflected by a planning×self-efficacy interaction on fruit and vegetable consumption. The strength of the mediated effect increased along with levels of self-efficacy. Individuals with very low self-efficacy did not benefit from planning. If a person lacks self-efficacy, planning does not seem to translate intentions into fruit and vegetable consumption. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The prevalence of overweight is increasing dramatically in children. A protective factor against the development of overweight is a sufficient intake of fruit and vegetables. However, the consumption of fruit and vegetables in children is far from ideal these days. Therefore, it is important to examine how the intake of fruit and vegetables can be promoted. In this study, the effects of two fruit promoting techniques were evaluated in 4–7-year-old children: presenting fruit in a more visually appealing manner versus restricting the intake of fruit. Two presentations of fruit (regular and visually appealing) were offered to the participants. In a first taste session participants were either allowed to eat from both fruit presentations (no-prohibition group) or prohibited from eating one of the two presentations (regular fruit prohibited group/visually appealing fruit prohibited group). In a second taste session all participants were allowed to eat from both fruit presentations. The results indicated that visual appeal had a strong effect on consumption of the fruit. With respect to restriction, no effects were found. Parents, schools, supermarkets and food producers should take advantage of these results, and offer children fruit and vegetables that are presented in a visually appealing manner. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The objective of this paper was to investigate whether food planning strategies mediate the association between living arrangements and fruit and vegetable consumption amongst women aged 40 years and over. A community sample of 473 women aged 40 years and over from metropolitan Melbourne, Australia, provided survey data on their living arrangements, education, fruit and vegetable consumption and the amount of food planning they undertake. Fruit and vegetable consumption was significantly higher amongst women who lived with others compared to those living alone. Food planning was found to mediate the association between living arrangements and fruit consumption by 8% and vegetable consumption by 13%. This study provides evidence of a mediating effect of food planning on the relationship between living arrangements and fruit and vegetable consumption. With the ageing of the population increasing the potential for a rise in the number of single-occupant households, identifying ways of helping individuals to plan their food purchasing and preparation may increase fruit and vegetable intake. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this study is twofold: to identify the determinants of daily fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption and the moderators of the intention–behaviour relationship. A sample of 225 overweight or obese adults completed a TPB questionnaire. F&V behaviour was assessed at baseline and three months later. Statistical analyses revealed that past behaviour, perceived behavioural control (PBC) and age were significant predictors of daily F&V consumption. In addition, intention was found to interact with anticipated regret. Interventions should encourage the development of habit and PBC. However, the age and level of anticipated regret of the targeted population should be considered when designing interventions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We examined the associations of emotional eating and depressive symptoms with the consumption of sweet and non-sweet energy-dense foods and vegetables/fruit, also focusing on the possible interplay between emotional eating and depressive symptoms. The participants were 25–64-year-old Finnish men (n =1679) and women (n =2035) from the FINRISK 2007 Study (DILGOM substudy). The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and a 132-item Food Frequency Questionnaire were used. Emotional eating and depressive symptoms correlated positively (r =0.31 among men and women), and both were related to a higher body mass. Emotional eating was related to a higher consumption of sweet foods in both genders and non-sweet foods in men independently of depressive symptoms and restrained eating. The positive associations of depressive symptoms with sweet foods became non-significant after adjustment for emotional eating, but this was not the case for non-sweet foods. Depressive symptoms, but not emotional eating, were related to a lower consumption of vegetables/fruit. These findings suggest that emotional eating and depressive symptoms both affect unhealthy food choices. Emotional eating could be one factor explaining the association between depressive symptoms and consumption of sweet foods, while other factors may be more important with respect to non-sweet foods and vegetables/fruit. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper describes the development and evaluation of the WillTry instrument, a psychometric tool designed to measure children''s willingness to try fruits and vegetables. WillTry surveys were interviewer-administered to 284 children in an elementary school and summer day camps located in rural Mississippi and Arkansas (United States) communities. Factor analysis was used to determine construct dimensionality. Additional evaluation included internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and predictive validity. Factor analysis suggested a single dimension for the food items. The WillTry food scale had substantial reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients between 0.61 and 0.80) and sufficient internal consistency (Cronbach''s α ≥0.70). Results of the regression analysis for percent consumption of foods offered on WillTry response confirmed the predictive validity of the instrument. The results of these analyses provide psychometric evidence for the use of the WillTry instrument as a measure of willingness to try fruits and vegetables in rural, southern US children 5–14 years of age. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present paper examined the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and food-related family lifestyle (dinner with parents, family food rules, and television viewing behaviors) in a sample of 14,407 adolescents from Belgium Flanders (N =7,904) and the Veneto Region of Italy (N =6,503) using multilevel binary logistic regression analyses. The data are part of the Health Behavior in School-aged Children cross-sectional survey. Daily dinner with parents, having more strict family food rules, and low television viewing behaviors were associated with daily fruit and vegetable intake. Watching television during meals was not associated with the outcome variables. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Recent national surveys have documented that the majority of adults in the United States do not meet the recommended levels of healthy lifestyle-related behaviors. The Nutrition and Physical Activity (NuPA) study was designed to promote fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, and weight management for a working population. Method: Data were collected nationwide, USA, from 2005 to 2007 and analyzed in 2008. A total of 2470 employed participants were randomized into the self-help (SH: n =1191) or self-help plus telephone counseling (SH+C: n =1279) group. The SH+C group received nine structured telephone counseling sessions in addition to the print materials. Results: A series of hierarchical regression analyses for each of the health behavior outcomes in the present-at-follow-up subsample (n =1098–1148) revealed that the SH+C was effective in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. Among the overweight and obese participants, weight loss was significant in both the SH and SH+C groups. Conclusion: Using a theory-based behavioral change counseling technique and targeting multiple health behaviors among employed individuals, our findings demonstrate that the addition of telephone counseling to mailed self-help materials is effective in promoting healthy diet and weight management. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We examined whether a same-sex peer''s vegetable consumption would predict the number of vegetable pieces eaten by the participant. A total of 116 Dutch women (M age=20.28; M BMI=21.68) participated. Their nutrient-dense food intake was measured during a 15-min break between two tasks, consisting of rating television advertisements. Participants consumed more vegetables when exposed to a peer eating a large number of vegetables than when exposed to a peer eating a small number or nothing. These findings suggest that social modeling processes may be relevant to interventions aimed at encouraging young women''s nutrient-dense food intake. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: The High 5 for Preschool Kids (H5-KIDS) program tested the effectiveness of a home based intervention to teach parents how to ensure a positive fruit–vegetable (FV) environment for their preschool child, and to examine whether changes in parent behavior were associated with improvements in child intake. Methods: A group randomized nested cohort design was conducted (2001 to 2006) in rural, southeast Missouri with 1306 parents and their children participating in Parents As Teachers, a national parent education program. Results: When compared to control parents, H5-KIDS parents reported an increase in FV servings (MN=0.20, p =0.05), knowledge and availability of FV within the home (p =0.01), and decreased their use of noncoercive feeding practices (p =0.02). Among preschoolers, FV servings increased in normal weight (MN=0.35, p =0.02) but not overweight children (MN=−0.10, p =0.48), relative to controls. The parent''s change in FV servings was a significant predictor of child''s change in FV in the H5-KIDS group (p =0.001). Conclusion: H5-KIDS suggests the need for, and promise of, early home intervention for childhood obesity prevention. It demonstrates the importance of participatory approaches in developing externally valid interventions, with the potential for dissemination across national parent education programs as a means for improving the intake of parents and young children. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: This study will determine if the selective use of attractive names can be a sustainable, scalable means to increase the selection of vegetables in school lunchrooms. Methods: Study 1 paired an attractive name with carrots in five elementary schools (n=147) and measured selection and consumption over a week compared to controls. Study 2 tracked food sales of vegetables in two elementary schools (n=1017) that were systematically attractively named or not named over a two-month period. Both studies were conducted in New York in 2011. Results: Study 1 found that elementary students ate twice the percentage of their carrots if attractively named as “X-ray Vision Carrots,” than if un-named or generically named as the “Food of the Day.” Study 2 found that elementary school students were 16% more likely to persistently choose more hot vegetable dishes (p<0.001) when they were given fun or attractive names. Discussion: Attractive names effectively and persistently increased healthy food consumption in elementary schools. The scalability of this is underscored by the success of Study 2, which was implemented and executed for negligible cost by a high school student volunteer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To examine the tracking of children''s body mass index, television viewing, and dietary intake over five-years. Methods: In 2002/3 (T1) parents of children aged 5–6years (n=175) and 10–12years (n=121), from Victoria, Australia, completed measures assessing their child''s frequency of fruit, vegetable, and energy-dense sweet and savory snack consumption, and their child''s television (TV) viewing. Children''s height and weight were measured by researchers and sex–age adjusted body mass index (BMI) calculated. All measures were repeated in 2006 (T2) and 2008 (T3). Generalized estimating equations (GEE) (standardized stability coefficients, β) were used to assess tracking and were interpreted as: β <0.3=low, 0.3–0.6=moderate, and >0.6=high. Results: High standardized stability coefficients were found for BMI (β=0.74–0.92), TV viewing (β=0.65–0.73), and frequency of fruit consumption (β=0.73–0.89) among younger and older children. Moderate-to-high standardized stability coefficients were found for frequency of vegetable (β=0.52–0.86), energy-dense sweet (β=0.41–0.65), and savory snack consumption (0.40–0.67) among younger and older children. Conclusions: BMI, TV viewing and dietary intake patterns are moderate-highly stable throughout childhood and into adolescence. Further research that identifies and targets high risk groups to prevent increased BMI, reduce TV viewing and promote healthy dietary behaviors may be justified. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]