title: An examination of sociodemographic, health, psychological factors, and fruit and vegetable consumption among overweight and obese U.S. veterans.
abstract: A diet high in fruits and vegetables (F&Vs) is associated with decreased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. This study investigated the relationship between sociodemographic, health, and psychosocial factors and F&V consumption among overweight and obese U.S. veterans. Participants were recruited from two Veterans Affairs medical center sites in 2005. Two hundred eighty-nine participants completed a self-administered survey. Bivariate and multivariate linear regression models were built to examine the association between sociodemographic, health, and psychosocial variables and F&V consumption. Older age (B = 0.01; p < 0.001) and being Black (B = -0.18; p < 0.05) were related to increased F&V consumption. Reported tobacco use was inversely associated with F&V consumption (B = -0.30; p < 0.01). Greater self-efficacy (B = 0.07; p < 0.05), fewer perceived barriers (B = -0.14; p < 0.01), and correct knowledge of recommended daily F&V intake (B = 0.12; p <0.05) were related to eating more F&Vs. U.S. veterans disproportionately experience overweight and obese conditions. Age, race, tobacco use, and psychosocial factors should be considered carefully when developing dietary interventionsamong overweight ana obese U.S. veterans.
authors.affiliation: Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, 1700 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7294, USA.
authors.forename: Linda K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Marlyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allicok
authors.forename: Marci K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Carmina G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Valle
authors.forename: Janelle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Armstrong-Brown
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dundon
authors.forename: Tammy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Anthony
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D057566:Self Report; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014675:Vegetables; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data