Barriers and facilitators of daily fruit and vegetables consumption among under-resourced communities in Central Texas in USA

As demonstrated for several years, the consumption of fruit and vegetables prevents many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. Yet, Americans still do not consume enough fruit and vegetables: only 10% of adults and 2% of children meet the dietary recommendations for vegetable consumption and 2.3% of adults and 7% of children meet for fruit recommendations (Lee, 2022). Large disparities are observed in fruit and vegetable consumption, particularly due to sociodemographic factors (food insecurity and income disparities).

The present study aims to identify the levers and barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption in under-resourced communities and examine whether these barriers and facilitators differ by racial and ethnic minority groups.

Significant facilitators of daily fruit and vegetables consumption were food preferences, participating in the WIC program and Hispanic/Latino(a) ethnicity

The majority of participants are female (71%), of Hispanic/Latino(a) ethnicity (54%), have a gross annual income of less than $45,000 (52%), and had less than a college degree (54%). Participants have an average age of 44 years with a household of 3.5 members. The most commonly reported food assistance program utilized was SNAP (18%), followed by food pantries/banks (12%), and WIC (9%).

A psychological barrier to fruit and vegetables consumption was identified in this study, which is the lack of time to prepare these products. This barrier was associated with a less daily intake of fruit and vegetables. Difficulty to prepare and to use fruit and vegetables and not liking their taste in the family were not statistically significant barriers of fruit and vegetables consumption. The distance to a supermarket and other psychosocial barriers were not associated with fruit and vegetable consumption.

Regarding facilitators, liking to consume fruit and vegetables, Hispanic/Latino(a) ethnicity and participation in WIC were significant predictors of their consumption. However, being a recipient of the SNAP and utilizing a food bank were not significantly associated with fruit and vegetables consumption.

The barriers and facilitators differ by race and ethnicity

Some populations have more barriers to consume fruit and vegetables. Black, white and other race participants were more likely to report having difficulty using fruit and vegetables before spoiling than Hispanic/Latino(a) participants. White and other race participants were more likely to report having difficulty and lack of time to prepare fruit and vegetables.

Multicomponent interventions may be the most effective strategy for alleviating barriers and implementing facilitators to fruit and vegetables consumption (Appleton et al, 2016).

Based on : Hollis-Hansen K, Janda KM, Tiscareño M, Filipowicz C, van den Berg A. Objective and perceived barriers and facilitators of daily fruit and vegetable consumption among under-resourced communities in Central Texas. Appetite. 2022 Sep 1;176:106130.