The impact of increased consumption of fruit and vegetables on population health and food behaviours: the case of Algeria

Objective: Consumption of fruit and vegetables (F&V) may play a role in the fight against overweight. The aim of the current study was to validate the link between consumption of F& V with overweight and biological impact. The Algerian context is a very rapid transition with a high prevalence of overweight and low consumption of F& V. Methodology: Qualitative and quantitative surveys were conducted on 421 persons in urban (200) and rural (200) areas. Experimentation on 40 persons in Adj El Mechri (South Algeria): Distribution of 400 g/capita/day of fruit and vegetables during 2 months. Results: (i) Link between consumption of F& V and the prevalence of overweight is not as obvious as it seems. Three types of people emerge: (a) urban people with a high level of F& V consumption and a normal body mass index, (b) the illiterate urban people with a low consumption of F& V and prone to obesity, (c) the rural elderly, primary school level people with a pre-obese status. (ii) Some physiological and behavioural impacts of increased consumption of F& V were validated: vitamins E and B9 have increased; blood pressure was improved; pre-obese people lost weight while obese persons have increased their weight because the quantity of F& V consumed was added to the usual ration. (iii) Increased availability of F& V was appreciated and did not disrupt the behaviours. Low consumption of F& V was due to their limited access (low income, high prices, low availability and lack of variety)