Title

Fruit and vegetable consumption among urban Canadian schoolchildren living in a socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhood

Authors

Karna E. Glen, Brescia University
Heather M. Thomas, Brescia University
Janet E. Loebach, Western UniversityFollow
Jason A. Gilliland, Western UniversityFollow
Colleen P. Gobert, Brescia University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2013

Journal

74

Volume

3

Issue

114

Last Page

118

URL with Digital Object Identifier

https://doi.org/10.3148/74.3.2013.114

Abstract

Purpose: Fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption was examined among children aged seven to 10 years in a London, Ontario, neighbourhood. The goal was to determine areas requiring targeted programs to promote healthy lifestyles.

Methods: Data were gathered from 136 students in grades 2 to 4. Each student attended one of four elementary schools within a neighbourhood designated a priority by the City of London Child and Youth Network. The Day in the Life Questionnaire was used to collect the data. Instances of FV consumption were compared with Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide (CFG) guidelines.

Results: Ninety-eight percent of participants did not follow the CFG-recommended minimum guidelines; they had fewer than five instances of FV consumption daily. Eighty-seven percent had fewer than two instances of FV consumption daily.

Conclusions: These data support national findings of low FV consumption among children.

Notes

Also available open access in Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research at: https://doi.org/10.3148/74.3.2013.114