Fruit and vegetable consumption in later life

Objective: to assess levels of fruit and vegetable consumption in elderly p eople, and to examine the socioeconomic, physical and psychological factors which influence this consumption. Methods: a three-phase survey: face to face interviews; self-completed diet ary diaries with a food frequency questionnaire; and follow-up face-to-face interviews. Participants: 445 elderly people (aged 65+) randomly selected from general practitioner lists in urban Nottingham and rural Nottinghamshire, Lincolnsh ire and Leicestershire. Results: the recommended target of five portions of fruit and vegetables a day was achieved by less than half the respondents: 37% of those living in the urban area and 51% of those living in the rural area. Low fruit and veg etable consumption was particularly associated with being male, smoking and having low levels of social engagement. Conclusions: most elderly people consume less than the recommended levels o f fruit and vegetables. Health programmes promoting fruit and vegetable con sumption mall not be successfully reaching elderly people and need to targe t those particularly at risk of low consumption.