Trends in fruit, vegetable and salad intakes in 9-10-year-old schoolchildren living in Liverpool, 2000-2005.
OBJECTIVE
To report on the fruit, vegetable and salad intakes of Liverpool schoolchildren aged 9-10 years over a 5-year period (2000-2005).


METHODS
Cross-sectional observational study.


METHODS
Between 75 and 100 Liverpool primary schools took part in each survey year.


METHODS
Subjects consisted of five separate cohorts of 9-10-year-old children from all areas of the city.


METHODS
Number and proportion of boys and girls who reported eating fruit, vegetables and salad on the previous day.


RESULTS
There was an upward trend in the reported intake of fruit between 2002 and 2005. Girls were more likely than boys to report eating fruit (P < 0.001). The trend in salad intake was positive. Between 2000 and 2005 there were significant increases in the number of boys (chi2 = 17.57, P = 0.001) and girls (chi2 = 80.56, P = 0.001) eating salad. Girls were significantly more likely to eat salad than boys in all years (chi2 = 58.75, P = 0.001). Trends in vegetable intake were similar to those for salad, with both sexes reporting yearly increases over the 5-year period. The increase in the number of boys who reported eating vegetables between 2000 and 2005 was 23.5% (chi2 = 32.9, P = 0.000). In girls there was a 44.8% increase over the same period (chi2 = 110.3, P < 0.000).


CONCLUSIONS
The data reveal positive trends in the fruit, vegetable and salad intakes of Liverpool schoolchildren between 2000 and 2005. Further research is needed to elucidate the specific factors that have enabled the changes to take place.
Johnson
B
B
Department of Community Dietetics, Abercromby Health Centre, Grove Street, Liverpool, UK. brian.johnson@southliverpoolpct.nhs.uk
Hackett
A F
AF
D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000639:trends*; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004739:England; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D018545:Lactuca; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D012574:Schools; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014675:Vegetables