The role of emotional states in fruit and vegetable consumption in Brazilian adults

• Main Authors: Helena Beatriz Rower, Maria Teresa Anselmo Olinto, Tonantzin Ribeiro Gonçalves, Marcos Pascoal Pattussi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Associação Brasileira de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva
• Series: Ciência & Saúde Coletiva
• Subjects: Autopercepção de nervosismo/stress; DPM; Consumo de frutas; verduras e legumes
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1413-81232017000200489&lng=en&tlng=en

Abstract The objective was to investigate the association between emotional states with adequate fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC). This is a population-based cross-sectional study with 1,100 adults from a medium-sized city in Southern Brazil. Adequate FVC was defined as concomitant intake ≥ 3 fruits and ≥ 5 tablespoons of vegetables per day. Exposures were self-perception of nervousness/stress and minor psychiatric disorders (MPD). Data analysis used logistic regression. After controlling for demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral variables, adults reporting lack of nervousness/stress were twice more likely to report adequate FVC than those who reported it. Similarly, those reporting not having MPD symptoms were 52% more likely to have adequate FVC than those who did not. These effects increased and remained significant among women.