Inntak av frukt og grønnsaker fra barndom til voksen alder i relasjon til sosioøkonomisk status

Abstract

Background: The consumption of fruits and vegetables are lower than recommended in the Norwegian population. Studies have shown that groups of high socioeconomic status have a higher consumption of fruits and vegetables than groups of low socioeconomic status. Purpose: The purpose of the task is to investigate (1) how the consumption of fruit and vegetables has changed from childhood to adulthood, (2) how socioeconomic status, measured with different indicators, is associated with consumption of fruits and vegetables, and (3) in what way the development of fruit and vegetable intake has changed from childhood to adulthood according to socioeconomic status. Method: The sample consists of students from the control schools from the project «Fruits and Vegetables Make the Marks» (n=437). Data was collected in 2001 (10-12 years), 2005 (14-16 years) and 2016 (25-27 years). The consumption of fruits and vegetables was measured by food frequency questions and 24-hour recall. As an indicator of socioeconomic status parental education and income (2001), the participant’s education plans (2005), and own education and income (2016) were used. Data was analysed with t-tests and models of multilevel repeated measures. Results: There was a significant decrease in the consumption of fruit and vegetable from childhood to adolescence (food frequency questions), and an increase from youth to adulthood (24-hour recall). Overall, education variables show a higher consumption among participants with high socioeconomic status. The association with income was not clear. The socioeconomic differences in the consumption of fruit and vegetable was stable from childhood to adulthood. Conclusion: There has been a decrease in the consumption of fruit and vegetables from childhood to adolescence, and an increase from youth to adulthood. Education variables show a higher consumption among those with high socioeconomic status, but the differences in the consumption of fruit and vegetable have remained stable over time. Key words: Fruit, vegetable, socioeconomic status, child, adolescents, adult