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Take Five, a nutrition education intervention to increase fruit and vegetable intakes: impact on attitudes towards dietary change

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Annie S. Anderson ,
David N. Cox ,
Susan McKellar ,
Joanna Reynolds ,
M. E. J. Lean  and
David J. Mela
Annie S. Anderson*
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Alexandra Parade, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK
David N. Cox
Affiliation:
Institute of Food Research, Earley Gate, Whiteknights Road, Reading RG6 6BZ, UK
Susan McKellar
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Alexandra Parade, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK
Joanna Reynolds
Affiliation:
Institute of Food Research, Earley Gate, Whiteknights Road, Reading RG6 6BZ, UK
M. E. J. Lean
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Alexandra Parade, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK
David J. Mela
Affiliation:
Institute of Food Research, Earley Gate, Whiteknights Road, Reading RG6 6BZ, UK
*
*Corresponding author: Professor A. S. Anderson, present address: Centre for Applied Nutrition Research, Matthew Building, University of Dundee, 13 Perth Road, Dundee DD1 4HT, UK, fax +44 (0) 1382 200047, email [email protected]
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Abstract

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To assess the response of low consumers of fruit and vegetables to a nutrition education intervention programme, data were collected from 104 adults on attitudinal variables related to ‘eating more fruit, vegetables and vegetable dishes’. Questionnaires (based on the theory of planned behaviour) assessing perceived barriers to increasing fruit and vegetable consumption were administered before an action-orientated intervention programme and at the end of the intervention period (8 weeks). Questionnaire scores for belief-evaluations in the intervention groups pre- and post-study indicated that support of family and friends, food costs, time constraints and shopping practicalities (in order to increase intake of fruit, vegetable and vegetable dishes) were barriers to greater consumption of these foodstuffs. Perceived situational barriers to increasing intakes of fruits and vegetables were: limited availability of vegetables, salads and fruit at work canteens, take-aways, friends' houses and at work generally. Following the intervention the number of visits to the shops was perceived as a greater barrier for increasing intakes of fruit and vegetables. Perceived practical opportunities for increasing intakes highlighted drinking fruit juice, taking fruit as a dessert, having fruit as a between-meal snack and eating two portions of vegetables with a meal. About two-thirds of intervention subjects achieved the recommended fruit and vegetable target, but it is concluded that practical issues and situational barriers need to be addressed for the success of future public health campaigns.

Keywords

Dietary interventionFruitVegetables
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 80 , Issue 2 , February 1998 , pp. 133 - 140
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1998

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