Spousal similarities in fruit and vegetable consumption

PURPOSE: To explore similar patterns of fruit and vegetable consumption between health center employees and their spouses. DESIGN: Cross-sectional mailed survey assessing frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption, as well as demographics and knowledge, attitudes, access, and social support related to fruit and vegetable consumption. SETTING: Six Massachusetts health centers. SUBJECTS: Two hundred eleven health center employee/spouse pairs (422 individuals). MEASURES: The kappa statistic measured agreement in fruit and vegetable consumption between employees and spouses. The Spearman rho coefficient measured correlations for individual responses. Multiple Linear Regression Models examined variables that explained fruit and vegetable consumption level differences. RESULTS: Response rate was 59%. Mean fruit and vegetable daily intake was 4.68 and 4.30 servings for employees and spouses, respectively. Over 75% of employee and spouse estimates measuring fruit and vegetable consumption-related information, on average, were within one survey response category of each other. Knowledge, attitudes, and access indices were significantly correlated with fruit and vegetable consumption for both employees and spouses. The social support index was significantly correlated with fruit and vegetable consumption only for the spouses. Differences in knowledge, attitudes, and access indices between employees and spouses helped to explain different fruit and vegetable consumption levels. Nonresponse, selection, recall, and seasonal reporting biases may limit the findings' generalizability. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of worksite nutrition interventions may be improved by involving family/household members.