Comparative Analysis of BMI, Consumption of Fruits & Vegetables, Smoking, & Physical Activity Among Florida Residents

• Other Authors: Goss, Joan S. (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Nursing
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-4104

According to historical data from the self-reported Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), overweight and obesity in Florida has reached epidemic proportions with a 58 % increase in overweight adults and a 93 % increase in obesity among adults since 1986 (DOH, 2001). Although studies have shown the relationship between eating fruits and vegetables and prevention or alleviation of cancer, hypertension, cardiac conditions, and diabetes, no studies have shown a relationship between eating fruits and vegetables and body mass index (BMI). The 2002 BRFSS survey was county-specific and large enough (n=35,000), to show that fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity and smoking could be compared between the seven counties with the lowest mean BMI and the seven counties with the highest mean BMI. This analysis supported the hypothesis that consumption of three or more fruits and vegetables per day was significantly correlated with lower BMI regardless of smoking or physical activity. When the mean BMI was correlated with fruits and vegetables in the seven highest and lowest counties, a statistical difference was found with the respondents in the seven lowest mean BMI counties eating more fruits and vegetables compared to those in the seven highest mean BMI counties. Although smoking has been reported to reduce BMI, the Florida BRFSS data showed that respondents in the seven counties with the highest BMI had more smoking use than the respondents in the seven counties with the lowest mean BMI. Therefore, smoking did not contribute to the lowest mean BMI among those persons in the seven counties who consumed more fruits and vegetables. As stated, physical activity has also been shown to maintain or reduce BMI and indeed, in the Florida BRFSS analysis, the respondents in the seven counties with the lowest mean BMI were significantly more physically active than the respondents with the highest mean BMI. However, when the relationship between BMI and consumption of fruits and vegetables was analyzed in moderately to vigorously physically active respondents, the statistically significant correlation remained both in the highest and lowest mean BMI counties. Thus, consumption of three or more fruits and vegetables per day was correlated with lower BMI regardless of smoking or physical activity. Consequently, education about the importance of increased fruit and vegetable consumption may be the single most important intervention that can impact those who are overweight and obese. === A Thesis submitted to the School of Nursing in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nursing. === Fall Semester, 2003. === October 29, 2003. === Physical Activity, Smoking, Vegetables, Fruits, BMI, BRFSS === Includes bibliographical references. === Laurie Grubbs, Professor Directing Thesis; Deborah Frank, Committee Member; Dianne Speake, Committee Member.