Children's daily fruit and vegetable intake: associations with maternal intake and child weight status

J Nutr Educ Behav. 2011 Sep-Oct;43(5):396-400. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2010.10.003. Epub 2011 Jul 18.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate associations between children's and their mothers' fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and children's FV intake and weight status.

Methods: Mothers (n = 39) residing in Philadelphia, PA completed a subsection of the Diet History Questionnaire assessing their FV intake. Mothers also completed this questionnaire to estimate FV intake among their 5- or 6-year-old children (n = 39). Children's height and weight were measured. Pearson correlation, Student t tests, and binary logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results: A significant positive mother-child association was found for FV intake (P < .001). Overweight/obese children consumed fewer FVs than normal-weight children (P = .02).

Conclusions and implications: Efforts to promote FV consumption in mothers may help children achieve the recommended intake of FVs. Higher intakes of FVs in turn may help with child weight management.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Height
  • Body Weight*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diet Surveys
  • Eating*
  • Food Preferences*
  • Fruit
  • Humans
  • Mothers / statistics & numerical data*
  • Obesity
  • Philadelphia
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Vegetables