A systematic review of methods to assess intake of fruits and vegetables among healthy European adults and children : a DEDIPAC (DEterminants of DIet and Physical Activity) study

Objective: Evidence suggests that health benefits are associated with consuming recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables (F&V), yet standardised assessment methods to measure F&V intake are lacking. The current review aims to identify methods to assess F&V intake among children and adults in pan-European studies and inform the development of the DEDIPAC (DEterminants of DIet and Physical Activity) toolbox of methods suitable for use in future European studies. Design: A literature search was conducted using three electronic databases and by hand-searching reference lists. English-language studies of any design which assessed F&V intake were included in the review. Setting: Studies involving two or more European countries were included in the review. Subjects: Healthy, free-living children or adults. Results: The review identified fifty-one pan-European studies which assessed F&V intake. The FFQ was the most commonly used (n 42), followed by 24 h recall (n 11) and diet records/diet history (n 7). Differences existed between the identified methods; for example, the number of F&V items on the FFQ and whether potatoes/legumes were classified as vegetables. In total, eight validated instruments were identified which assessed F&V intake among adults, adolescents or children. Conclusions: The current review indicates that an agreed classification of F&V is needed in order to standardise intake data more effectively between European countries. Validated methods used in pan-European populations encompassing a range of European regions were identified. These methods should be considered for use by future studies focused on evaluating intake of F&V.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Riordan, Fiona, Ryan, Kathleen, Perry, Ivan J., Schulze, Matthias B., Andersen, Lene Frost, Geelen, Anouk, van’t Veer, Pieter, Eussen, Simone, Dagnelie, Pieter, Wijckmans-Duysens, Nicole, Harrington, Janas M.
Format:	Article/Letter to editor biblioteca
Language:	English
Subjects:	DEDIPAC, Dietary assessment, Europe, Fruits and vegetables,
Online Access:	https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/a-systematic-review-of-methods-to-assess-intake-of-fruits-and-veg
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