Tracing the Single and Combined Contributions of Home-Grown Supply and Health Literacy on Fruit and Vegetable Consumption: An Empirical Exploration in Rural India

Abstract

Low fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC) remains a global health challenge. Fostering subsistence agriculture through the production and home-grown consumption (HGC) of fruits and vegetables are seen as potential strategies for improving overall FVC, in particular, for developing countries like India. In addition, educational strategies targeting FVC health literacy are also used. Little evidence has documented a connection between these two strategies. We examine the single and combined influence of HGC and health literacy with regard to benefits from fruits and vegetable consumption. Data were collected from 427 rural households in the state of Odisha, India. Three outcomes were examined: FVC, as well as fruit and vegetables separately. Linear and Poisson regression were used to examine the association among home-grown consumption (HGC), FVC health literacy, and the FVC outcomes. Findings show that HGC, but not FVC health literacy, was directly associated with FVC (β = 0.65, SE = 0.10, p = 0.008) and vegetable consumption (β = 0.57, SE = 0.11, p = 0.02). However, both HGC (β = 0.58, SE = 0.05, p < 0.01) and FVC health literacy (β = −0.07, SE = 0.02, p = 0.001) were associated with fruit consumption. In addition, HGC effect is concentrated among participants who reported low FVC health literacy, especially on overall FVC and vegetables alone. Results are discussed in relation to the beneficial role played by HGC in those particularly vulnerable households who perceived little FVC health literacy. Our results provide insights on novel improved FVC consumption across all population segments. Future research should explore the complex interplay between agricultural policies and educational programs in the design of interventions promoting fruit and vegetable production and consumption.

Exploring Pathways of Socioeconomic Inequity in Vegetable Expenditure Among Consumers Participating in a Grocery Loyalty Program in Quebec, Canada, 2015–2017

“…In addition to general and post-secondary education, targeted nutrition education programs (e.g., skills training) have found prior success in boosting vegetable consumption ( 137 , 138 ). Health literacy programs have also demonstrated positive impact on fruit and vegetable ( 139 ) and, when paired with agricultural intervention programs (e.g., home gardening education), greater synergies can be achieved ( 67 , 69 ). However, the insights from this study also point to a need for curriculum expansion, with more precise messaging and content on processed vegetables, to better equip consumers with the information needed to make trade-offs and decisions regarding substitutions given their time and monetary limitations ( 140 ).…”

“…The agri-food supply chain, in turn, operates as a complex system spanning from input of raw materials, to farming, processing, packaging, and distribution (65). Physical accessibility also extends to the point of market access, where factors like having car access or grocery/food retail outlets within the neighborhood, supermarket choice, and access to homegrown produce via a home or community garden influence FVC (14,51,66,67). For adults, FVC can also be mediated by consumption of fruits and vegetables from home gardens or farms (66)(67)(68)(69).…”

“…Physical accessibility also extends to the point of market access, where factors like having car access or grocery/food retail outlets within the neighborhood, supermarket choice, and access to homegrown produce via a home or community garden influence FVC (14,51,66,67). For adults, FVC can also be mediated by consumption of fruits and vegetables from home gardens or farms (66)(67)(68)(69). Furthermore, children and adolescents with greater physical accessibility (i.e., having fruits and vegetables present at home or at school) report higher FVC (13,68).…”

Preliminary Insights on Barriers to and Facilitators of Healthy Eating for Rural Residents Emerging from Extreme Poverty: A Qualitative Study in Dafang, China

“…As part of traditional practices, the participants in this study also reported cultivating and consuming own vegetables and grains. Surendran et al and Auma et al found that consumption of home-grown food and access to home gardens enabled the consumption of healthier fruit and vegetables with lower environmental impact [38,39]. Therefore, household cultivation in rural areas should be preserved and promoted, which could potentially be an effective strategy for reversing the declining trend of vegetable consumption in rural China.…”