engleski

Fruits and vegetables consumption among normal weight, overweight and obese Croatian schoolchildren

The studies on children and adolescents fruit and vegetables intake and obesity gave mixed results. Since obesity and overweight affecting children and adolescents becoming globally increasingly important, it is worth to examine not just the fruits and vegetables intake but also the different factors (family, peers, knowledge) that could influence choice of those foods. The aim of this study was to establish the difference in fruits and vegetables consumption pattern, with differences in motivation factors among normal weight, overweight and obese children. The study sample consisted of 769 boys and girls (672 with normal weight, 54 overweight and 43 obese) selected from 23 elementary schools in Primorsko- goranska County in Croatia. Fruit and vegetable consumption was estimated using 7-days FFQ, while the motivation factors for choosing this foods were assessed with a specially designed questionnaire. The findings suggest that inadequate fruits and vegetable consumption was prevalent among children. Although three groups differed in daily energy intake (p<0.05), there was no significant difference in daily intake of fruit or fruit juices among them. However, normal weight children consumed more vegetables compared to their overweight or obese counterparts (p<0.05). All children rated taste as a primary motive for fruit and vegetables choice, followed by health aspects and availability. Positive parental influence on choice was strongly expressed in the group of normal weight children (p<0.05). It could be concluded that all schoolchildren should be included in fruit and vegetable promotion programs to encourage increased fruits and vegetables intake with particular emphasis on parents’ involvement.

schoolchildren; fruits; vegetables; overweight; obesity

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