Who consumed 5 or more portions of fruit and vegetables per day in 1986-1987 and in 2000-2001?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to describe who ate 5 or more portions of fruit and vegetables per day (‘compliers’) in 1986-1987 and in 2000-2001.

DESIGN: We used data from the Dietary and Nutritional Surveys of British Adults. Each is a nationally representative dietary survey using 7 d weighed food records for men and women, aged 16-64 years, living in private households in Great Britain in 1986-1987 and in 2000-2001.

SETTING: Great Britain.

SUBJECTS: Data were analysed for 2197 adults in 1986-1987 and 1724 adults in 2000-2001.

RESULTS: In 1986-1987 12·7 % were classified as ‘compliers’ compared with 16·5 % in 2000-2001. Manual social classes, younger participants and people on benefits or outside paid employment were less likely to be ‘compliers’. Being divorced, widowed or separated was negatively related to being a ‘complier’, as was being in a household with dependant children or a lone parent with dependant children. Between 1986-1987 and 2000-2001 improvements were seen across social class groups and differences between men and women and between regions were reduced.

CONCLUSIONS: Only 12·7 % participants in the Dietary and Nutritional Surveys of British Adults were classified as ‘compliers’ in 1986-1987 compared with 16·5 % in 2000-2001. There have been some important changes in the distribution of ‘compliers’, but the low levels overall support the need for a reinvigorated policy drive to improve compliance with fruit and vegetable goals.