Consumer attitudes towards fruit and vegetable consumption and their influence on the nutritional balance

Questionnaires and 3-day nutritional records as part of a market study on supply and demand of agricultural produce from Brandenburg conducted in 1997 in Berlin were to provide information about the consumer judgement of the nutritional importance of fruit and vegetables, the extent of fruit and vegetable consumption and its influence on nutrient balance.502 persons had been randomly selected from three population groups: employed singles, young families and pensioners. The records of 148 participants only were qualified for evaluation. Accordingly, the importance of fruit, vegetables, fruit juices and potatoes for health is recognized by the majority of consumers. 15% of the participants consumed 5 portions of fruit, vegetables and juice per day. 20% consumed 5 portions daily, if potatoes were included. Women consumed 3.2 portions of fruit, vegetables and juice on the average and 3.6 portions if potatoes were included, while men consumed 2.8 and 3.4 portions, resp. Participants of this study have been found to show nutritional imbalances of different degree. Frequent consumption of fruit, vegetables and juice and the degree of nutritional balance correlate positively.The study has shown that there are information gaps regarding the importance of fruit and vegetables. Consumption of fruit, vegetables and juices can be increased especially by consumption between main meals. Consequently, less nutritional imbalances can be expected. Individual estimates of fruit and vegetable consumption should be carefully evaluated in order to avoid errors.