FRUIT CONSUMPTION: DIETARY HEALTH AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Health benefits of a diet rich in fruit and vegetables has been emphasized in the U.S. However, consumption of fruits more than for vegetables has remained well below recommended amounts. Efforts to influence eating habits will be enhanced if socio-demographic factors and the nature of their interaction are better understood. This study uses logistic regression to determine the role of age, sex, race and place of residency to investigate this question. The analysis identifies that sex, social class and place of residence influence optimal fruit consumption. Particularly, this study finds that young adult males of modest means living in rural areas are less likely to incorporate the recommended amount of fruit in their diet