Canned Vegetable and Fruit Consumption Is Associated with Changes in Nutrient Intake and Higher Diet Quality in Children and Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2010

Abstract

Background: Canned vegetables and fruit (CV+CF) are ubiquitous throughout the food supply.Yet information regarding their specific contribution to nutrient intake and health measures is lacking.Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the association of CV+CF with nutrient intake, diet quality, anthropometric indicators of overweight/obesity and blood pressure in a nationally representative population. Design and participants:A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from 17,344 children and 24,807 adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2010 was conducted. A dataset was developed that distinguished CV+CF consumers from non-consumers. Main outcome measures:Diet quality was calculated using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)- 2010.Statistical analyses: Regression analysis determined differences between groups.Results: About 11% of the population consumed CV+CF on a given day. Compared to nonconsumers, child (n=2,066) and adult (n=2,746) CV+CF consumers ate more energy, and energy adjusted dietary fiber, total sugar, choline, and potassium, and less fat and saturated fat. Child consumers also ate more energy adjusted protein, vitamin A, calcium and magnesium. Child and adult consumers and non-consumers had comparable energy adjusted sodium and added sugar intakes. Compared to non-consumers, the total HEI-2010 score was higher (P<0.001) in child (45.8 ± 0.5 vs. 43.3 ± 0.3) and adult consumers (49.0 ± 0.4 vs. 47.4 ± 0.3). Covariate adjusted 2 body weight, body mass index, waist circumference and blood pressure were comparable in both of the child and adult groups. Conclusions:Results suggest CV+CF consumption was associated with improved intake of select nutrients, a higher quality diet, and comparable adiposity measures and blood pressure.

Fiber Patterns in Young Adults Living in Different Environments (USA, Spain, and Tunisia). Anthropometric and Lifestyle Characteristics

“…In our study, regardless of the country, the cereal group provided the highest amount of consumed fiber. It is interesting to highlight the high levels of fiber from legumes (string beans) consumed by our American students, which is in line with other studies in child and adult populations [ 16 ]. These outcomes matched those found in different surveys in the same countries and carried out among young and/or adult population when main food groups were studied [ 12 , 57 , 75 ].…”

“…Recent research also suggests positive effects on other illnesses and conditions (infections or respiratory diseases) and negative effects on all the total death rates [ 12 , 71 ]. In this context, the pattern of fiber intake is considered an indicator of diet quality [ 16 , 27 ] and international policy guidelines [ 14 , 15 ] have included the intake of food sources with high fiber content in order to meet the recommendations.…”

“…In this scenario, and in order to improve the health state of people from middle and high-income countries, World Health Organization (WHO) and Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) policy guidelines [ 14 , 15 ] include recommendations for fiber intake in countries’ dietary guidelines. Therefore, patterns of fiber consumption may be considered an indicator of diet quality [ 16 ].…”

Reaching Low-Income Mothers to Improve Family Fruit and Vegetable Intake: Food Hero Social Marketing Campaign—Research Steps, Development and Testing

“…FG-2 participants responded well to messages promoting frozen/canned FV. Research shows that frozen/canned FV are cost effective and healthy, and in most cases only take minutes to heat up and serve [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. However, our participants, in alignment with the USDA Maximizing the Message project participants, felt frozen/canned FV were less healthful and desirable than fresh despite the majority of them reporting “low-price” as a shopping priority and 46% reporting “healthy food is time consuming to prepare” [ 30 ].…”

Diet Quality Indices for Nutrition Assessment: Types and Applications

“…Risk assessment indices measure the risk of developing certain diseases, by examining overall diet composition and nutrient intake. A number of indices have been used, for example, to investigate cardiovascular risk and cancer mortality [22][23][24][25][26][27].…”