Estimates of fruit and vegetable intake in childhood and adult dietary behaviors of African American women

OBJECTIVE: This exploratory study examined how estimates of one's fruit and vegetable intake in childhood are related to 3 current dietary behaviors among African American women: intake of fruits and vegetables, exposure to and preference for fruits and vegetables, and preference for trying new foods. DESIGN: Baseline data from a randomized dietary intervention trial. Setting: Ten urban public health centers in St. Louis, Missouri. PARTICIPANTS: 1227 African American women. Variables Measured: A 33-item fruit and vegetable food frequency questionnaire, items measuring estimates of childhood fruit and vegetable intake, adult fruit and vegetable intake, exposure to and preference for fruit and vegetable, and preference for trying new foods. ANALYSIS: Linear regression evaluated the association between predictors and continuous measures; logistic regression determined the association between predictors and categorical measures. RESULTS: Estimates of one's vegetable intake as a child were significantly related to exposure and preference for both fruits and vegetables, trying of new foods, and intake of both fruits and vegetables in adulthood. Estimates of eating fruit as a child were not significantly associated with these adult dietary behaviors. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Developmental influences on adult dietary patterns may be stronger for vegetables than fruits among African American women. Additional emphasis is needed regarding exposure to and preference for vegetable intake in childhood.