Department of Health Education, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Nutr J. 2010 Jan 13;9:2. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-9-2.
There is substantial evidence that low consumption of fruit and vegetables (FV) is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess FV consumption and the variables that influence it among elderly individuals in Iran aged 60 and over.
This was a cross-sectional study to investigate FV intake by a randomly-selected sample of members of elderly centers in Tehran, Iran. A multidimensional questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics, daily consumption of FV, knowledge, self-efficacy, social support, perceived benefits, and barriers against FV. Data were analyzed using t-tests, one way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and logistic regression.
In total, 400 elderly individuals took part in the study. The mean age of the participants was 64.07 (SD = 4.49) years, and most were female (74.5%). The mean number of FV servings per day was 1.76 (SD = 1.15). Ninety-seven percent of participants (n = 388) did not know the recommended intake was at least five servings of FV per day. Similarly, 88.3% (n = 353) did not know the size of a single serving. The most frequent perceived benefits of and barriers against FV consumption were availability and expense, respectively. Knowledge (OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.39-0.88), perceived benefits (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.88-0.96) and barriers (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.04-1.14), self-efficacy (OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.83-0.95) and family support (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.83-0.99) were significantly associated with fruit and vegetable consumption.
The findings of this study indicate that FV intake among elderly individuals in Iran was lower than the recommended minimum of five daily servings and varied greatly with age, marital status, educational attainment, and income level. The results also indicated that low perceived benefits, low self-efficacy, and perceived barriers could lead to lower consumption of FV. It seems that in order to improve FV consumption among elderly individuals in Iran, raising awareness, improving perception of benefits and enhancing self-efficacy regarding FV consumption should receive more attention. Indeed, it is essential to plan health education programs and nutritional interventions for this group of the population.
大量证据表明，水果和蔬菜（FV）摄入量低是许多慢性疾病的主要危险因素。本研究旨在评估伊朗 60 岁及以上老年人的 FV 摄入量及其影响因素。
这是一项横断面研究，对伊朗德黑兰老年人中心的随机样本进行 FV 摄入量调查。使用多维问卷收集人口统计学特征、每日 FV 摄入量、知识、自我效能、社会支持、感知益处和 FV 摄入障碍等数据。采用 t 检验、单因素方差分析、皮尔逊相关和逻辑回归分析数据。
共有 400 名老年人参与了研究。参与者的平均年龄为 64.07（SD=4.49）岁，大多数为女性（74.5%）。每日 FV 摄入量的平均值为 1.76（SD=1.15）份。97%的参与者（n=388）不知道推荐的摄入量至少为每天 5 份 FV。同样，88.3%（n=353）不知道一份的大小。最常被感知到的 FV 摄入的益处和障碍分别是可用性和费用。知识（OR=0.59，95%CI=0.39-0.88）、感知益处（OR=0.92，95%CI=0.88-0.96）和障碍（OR=1.08，95%CI=1.04-1.14）、自我效能（OR=0.89，95%CI=0.83-0.95）和家庭支持（OR=0.91，95%CI=0.83-0.99）与水果和蔬菜的摄入量显著相关。
本研究结果表明，伊朗老年人的 FV 摄入量低于推荐的每日 5 份最低摄入量，且随年龄、婚姻状况、教育程度和收入水平而异。研究结果还表明，低感知益处、低自我效能和感知障碍可能导致 FV 摄入量较低。为了提高伊朗老年人的 FV 摄入量，似乎需要更加关注提高意识、改善对 FV 摄入的感知益处和增强自我效能。事实上，为这一人群制定健康教育计划和营养干预措施至关重要。
