Evaluation of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption pattern based on Food Guide Pyramid Recommendations: A study on students of Health Faculty, Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Based on WHO estimation, inadequate intake of fruit and vegetables is one of the five main factors leading to rising in the global burden of chronic diseases.The aim of this study was to evaluate fruit and vegetable consumption based on the Food Guide Pyramid, in students of the Health Faculty of Kerman University of Medical Sciences in 2013.
In this cross-sectional study, 229 students were selected using multistage sampling. Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was completed and anthropometric indices were measured by standard instruments and methods.Mann-WhitneyU and two sample t-test were used to compare mean indices between the two groups, Wilcoxson and one sample t-test were used to compare the daily serving intake of food groups with Food Guide Pyramid recommendations. Data analysis was done through SPSS18.
Mean age of students was 21.88 ± 2.46 years. Mean consumption of fruit was 3.57±1.53 serving/day, and it was in the recommended range. Mean consumption of vegetables (1.95±0.74 serving/day) showed a significant difference with the recommeded minimum amount(P>0.001).Mean consumption of meat (2.31±0.55 serving/day) and bread and cereal (10.6± 0.20 serving/day) were in the the recommended range. Mean consumption of milk (1±0.043serving/day) showed a significant difference with the recommened minimum amount(P>0.001).
Since vegetable and milk consumptions were significantly lower than the recommended amounts, more vegetable and milk consumption are advised.