title: Factors influencing fruit and vegetable intake among urban Fijians: A qualitative study.
abstract: Low fruit and vegetable intake is an important risk factor for micronutrient deficiencies and non-communicable diseases, but many people worldwide, including most Fijians, eat less than the World Health Organization recommended amount. The present qualitative study explores factors that influence fruit and vegetable intake among 57 urban Fijians (50 women, 7 men) of indigenous Fijian (iTaukei) and South Asian (Indian) descent. Eight focus group discussions were held in and around Suva, Fiji's capital and largest urban area, which explored motivation for eating fruit and vegetables, understandings of links to health and disease, availability and sources, determinants of product choice, and preferred ways of preparing and eating fruit and vegetables. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Regardless of ethnicity, participants indicated that they enjoyed and valued eating fruit and vegetables, were aware of the health benefits, and had confidence in their cooking skills. In both cultures, fruit and vegetables were essential components of traditional diets. However, increasing preferences for processed and imported foods, and inconsistent availability and affordability of high-quality, low-priced, fresh produce, were identified as important barriers. The findings indicate that efforts to improve fruit and vegetable intake in urban Fijians should target the stability of the domestic fruit and vegetable supply and access.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; Leverhulme Centre for Integrative Research on Agriculture and Health (LCIRAH), 36 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PD, UK. Electronic address: ehm72@cornell.edu.
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: National Food and Nutrition Centre, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, P.O. Box 2450, Government Buildings, Suva, Fiji. Electronic address: p_vatucawaqa@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vatucawaqa
authors.affiliation: C-POND, College of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Tamavua Campus, Fiji National University and Deakin University, Suva, Fiji. Electronic address: wendy.snowdon@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Snowdon
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia. Electronic address: anthony.worsley@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Worsley
authors.affiliation: Leverhulme Centre for Integrative Research on Agriculture and Health (LCIRAH), 36 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PD, UK; Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK. Electronic address: alan.dangour@lshtm.ac.uk.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Dangour
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK; Leverhulme Centre for Integrative Research on Agriculture and Health (LCIRAH), 36 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PD, UK. Electronic address: karen.lock@lshtm.ac.uk.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lock
mesh_terms: D002755:Choice Behavior; D003469:Culture; D000072001:Diet, Healthy; D005260:Female; D005367:Fiji; D017144:Focus Groups; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology*; D005638:Fruit; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014505:Urban Population; D014675:Vegetables
keywords: Food choice; Fruit and vegetables; Pacific; Qualitative research