INTRODUCTION: The adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables is regarded as an important factor for the reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and specific types of cancer. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables and associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with a random sample of adults (N = 1,890) from Florianopolis (Southern Brazil), living in households with a fixed telephone line in 2005. The study outcome was the adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables defined as the frequency of consumption of five or more times/day. Multivariate analysis of the association between adequate consumption and independent variables was expressed as prevalence ratios. RESULTS: The prevalence of adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables was 21.9% (25.0% among women and 18.7% among men). Among women, higher frequencies of adequate consumption was associated with age, not currently working (PR = 1.5; 95%CI: 1.1, 2.0), health status perceived as good or excellent (PR = 1.4; 95%CI: 1.0, 1.8), and never having smoked (PR = 1.3; IC 95%: 1.0, 1.9). Men who were married (PR = 1.9; 95%CI: 1.2, 3.0) and who showed no overweight (PR = 1.9; 95%CI: 1.3, 2.7) were more likely to report adequate consumption. For both sexes the adequate consumption was associated with leisure time physical activity (women PR = 1.5; 95%CI 1.2, 1.9; men PR = 1.8; 95%CI 1.1; 2.8). CONCLUSIONS: Health interventions aimed at increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables should take into account the above mentioned sex differences.
Interviews; Food consumption; Fruits; Vegetables; Interviews; Surveillance of risk factors
