Barriers toward fruit and vegetable consumption in a multiethnic worksite population.

摘要

Barriers to fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption were examined in a multi-ethnic work-site population and related to F&V intake and demographics. Data were collected through Treatwell 5-A-Day, a randomized, controlled, work-site-based interventionstudy designed to increase F&V intake in community health centre workers. The self-administered survey included questions on demographics, eating habits and barriers to F&V intake. Barriers were scored, with higher values reflecting higher perceived barriers, resulting in 3 factors; general (including taste, time and availability at home and restaurants), expense and work-site availability. The general and expense barriers scores were higher and work-site barriers scores lower in non-whites and those with less education, with lower incomes, and in labour, service or paraprofessional occupations. General barriers scores decreased with increasing age and the expense barrier score was higher in women. In multivariate analysis, ethnicity, occupation and age were no longer associated with the general barriers score when education and income were controlled. There was a significant education by income interaction. Only the general barriers score was significantly associated with F&V intake. In conclusion, perceived barriers to F&V intake increased with decreasing income and education, especially at low incomes and were related to lower consumption of F&V.