Patterns of sociodemographic and food practice characteristics in relation to fruit and vegetable consumption in children: results from the U.K. National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme (2008-2010).
OBJECTIVE
Few studies have considered the combined effects of home-related determinants on children’s diet. The present study investigated independent associations between sociodemographic and food practice (SFP) characteristics and fruit and vegetable consumption in U.K. children and the combined effects of SFP on consumption using pattern analysis.


METHODS
Diet was assessed using 4 d food diaries, SFP were collected using computer-assisted personal interview. Linear regressions were used to test associations; principal component analysis was used to identify patterns of SFP characteristics. Regression of fruit (g/d) and vegetables (g/d) v. component scores of each pattern were performed.


METHODS
U.K. National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme (2008–2010).


METHODS
Children aged 1.5–10 years (n 642).


RESULTS
Significant associations were found between fruit and vegetable consumption and household socio-economic status. Pattern 1, which was positively correlated with household structure characteristics, was associated with increased fruit consumption (P < 0.001). Pattern 2, characterised by positive correlations for socio-economic status, fruit availability and organic food purchase, and negatively correlated with household size and the number of children per household, was associated with higher fruit and vegetable consumption (both P < 0.001). Pattern 3, characterised by high frequency of eating out and eating takeaway, was associated with a lower consumption of both fruit (P < 0.012) and vegetables (P < 0.023).


CONCLUSIONS
Patterns of SFP determinants may be more informative than individual characteristics in relation to dietary outcomes. Results have public health implications on the healthfulness of meals eaten out of home and in takeaways, as well as the need to reduce diet inequality in larger households with lower socio-economic status.
1 MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, 120 Fulbourn Road, Cambridge CB1 9NL, UK.
Tsz N
TN
Mak
Celia J
CJ
Prynne
Darren
D
Cole
Emily
E
Fitt
Beverley
B
Bates
Alison M
AM
Stephen
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D015930:Diet Records; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005191:Family Characteristics; D057140:Fast Foods; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D058870:Food, Organic; D005638:Fruit; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D012923:Social Class; D006113:United Kingdom; D014675:Vegetables