Socio-demographic Factors and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption among Tehranian Adolescents: A Cross-sectional Study

Aim: Evidence indicates that demographic factors such as age, gender, and mother s literacy are important predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption among adolescents. So, this study was conducted in order to survey the relation between socio-demographic factors and fruit and vegetable consumption among Tehranian adolescents in 2013. Methods: This cross-sectional study (descriptive-analytic) was carried out for surveying Tehranian adolescents, socio-demographic factors and fruit and vegetable consumption. The total of 500 adolescents (11-14 years old) was included in the study using multistage random sampling method. Being at the age of 11-14 years, giving informed consent, and voluntary participation were criteria for students selection. Data were gathered using questionnaire encompass socio-demographic characteristics (11 items) and Frequent Fruit and Vegetable Questionnaire (FFQ). Data were analyzed using statistical software SPSS 18 (descriptive statistics, and tests of independent t and one way ANOVA). Findings: There was no relationship between age, gender, family size, parent’s job, and fruit and vegetable consumption. Based on one way ANOVA test, there was a significant relation between vegetable consumption and mother’s and father’s literacy, as well as between home size and fruit and vegetable consumption. Conclusion: The finding that economic factors and parent’s education level have a strong association with the adolescents’ intake of fruits and vegetables in this sample concurs with other research findings regarding the importance of family environment to promote healthy eating behaviors among adolescents.

Keywords:

Adolescent , Socio-demographic factors , Fruit and vegetable consumption