Estimates of fruit and vegetable intake in childhood and adult dietary behaviors of African American women.
OBJECTIVE
This exploratory study examined how estimates of one's fruit and vegetable intake in childhood are related to 3 current dietary behaviors among African American women: intake of fruits and vegetables, exposure to and preference for fruits and vegetables, and preference for trying new foods.


METHODS
Baseline data from a randomized dietary intervention trial.


METHODS
Ten urban public health centers in St. Louis, Missouri.


METHODS
1227 African American women.


METHODS
A 33-item fruit and vegetable food frequency questionnaire, items measuring estimates of childhood fruit and vegetable intake, adult fruit and vegetable intake, exposure to and preference for fruit and vegetable, and preference for trying new foods.


METHODS
Linear regression evaluated the association between predictors and continuous measures; logistic regression determined the association between predictors and categorical measures.


RESULTS
Estimates of one's vegetable intake as a child were significantly related to exposure and preference for both fruits and vegetables, trying of new foods, and intake of both fruits and vegetables in adulthood. Estimates of eating fruit as a child were not significantly associated with these adult dietary behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
Developmental influences on adult dietary patterns may be stronger for vegetables than fruits among African American women. Additional emphasis is needed regarding exposure to and preference for vegetable intake in childhood.
Haire-Joshu
Debra
D
Saint Louis University School of Public Health, St. Louis, Missouri 63104, USA. hoshud@slu.edu
Kreuter
Matthew K
MK
Holt
Cheryl
C
Steger-May
Karen
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012380:Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables