PERCEPTION AND ROLE OF FRUIT IN THE WORKDAY DIETS OF SCOTTISH LORRY DRIVERS

Forty-six lorry drivers working for two haulage firms in central Scotl and took part in a study to determine their perception and the role of fruit in their diets on working days. A focus group session provided initial insights, with repertory grid being used to provide further un derstanding. Eating while at work was characterized by a pattern of ex tensive and irregular snacking. The snack foods tended to be branded i tems obtained from garage kiosks, forecourts, motorway service areas a nd truck stops. Fruit as a snack, although perceived as healthy, did n ot feature highly because it was considered both inconvenient and expe nsive. The study identifies a major role to be played by the roadside catering and retailing industries in supplying healthy snacks to their customers. (C) 1998 Academic Press Limited.