Socioeconomic differences among Australian adults in consumption of fruit and vegetables and intakes of vitamins A, C and folate.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether socioeconomic groups differ in their food intakes for fruit and vegetables, their consumption of fruit and vegetables dense in vitamin A, folate and vitamin C, and their nutrient intakes of vitamin C, folate and vitamin A.


METHODS
The 1995 Australian National Nutrition Survey collected food intake data from 8883 adults aged 18-64 years using a 24-h dietary recall. Fruit and vegetables were measured as amount (g) consumed. Intakes of nutrients were estimated from the 24-h dietary recall data. Participants were categorized by whether or not they consumed fruit or vegetables high in vitamin A, folate and vitamin C. Gross annual household income was used to measure socioeconomic position.


RESULTS
Participants from low-income households consumed a smaller quantity of fruit and vegetables. They were also less likely to consume fruit and vegetables high in vitamin C, folate and vitamin A. Consistent with these findings, men and women from disadvantaged socioeconomic groups had lower intakes of vitamin C and folate compared with their more affluent counterparts. These differences were small to moderate in magnitude. Vitamin A intakes were not significantly related to income.


CONCLUSIONS
As well as promoting healthy dietary practices, nutrition-promotion strategies should target the nutrient intakes of lower socioeconomic groups. These programmes should focus on improving the quantity and choice of fruit and vegetables consumed by people from low-income households.
Giskes
K
K
Centre for Public Health Research, School of Public Health, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia. k.giskes@qut.edu.au
Turrell
G
G
Patterson
C
C
Newman
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001315:Australia; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005518:Food Preferences; D005638:Fruit; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014675:Vegetables; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D014815:Vitamins; D014801:Vitamin A; D005492:Folic Acid; D001205:Ascorbic Acid