Factors Associated with Daily Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables in Serbia ^†

Abstract

Background and objectives: The beneficial effects of fruit and vegetable consumption on general health are well known. Daily consumption of both fruit and vegetables is therefore considered to be an indicator of a healthy diet and lifestyle. The study aimed to investigate the frequency and factors that contribute to daily consumption of both fruits and vegetables in the Serbian adult population. Methods: For the purpose of this study, we used data from the freely available registry from the national general health survey of the Serbian adult population that was performed in 2019. Data were statistical analyzed using the Statistical software for Social Sciences SPSS 22.0. Results: A total of 31.3% of the participants (4123/13,178) reported daily consumption of both fruit and vegetables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the association between daily consumption of both fruit and vegetables with female sex (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.32–1.58), older age (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00–1.01), having the highest quintile (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.31–1.78), having a secondary (OR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.16–1.46) or tertiary level of education (OR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.51–2.02), having good (OR-1.29, 95% CI: 1.08–1.53) or average self-rated health (OR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.06–1.47), being a non-smoker (OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.25–1.52) and performing sufficient physical activity (OR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.34–3.02). Discussion: The obtained results indicate that in Serbia, older females, non-smokers, those with a higher level of education and better income and those who perform regular physical activity most commonly consume both fruits and vegetables on daily bases. Because a higher intake of fruits and vegetables improves public health, adequate and regular education of healthy nutrition at the individual and community levels is suggested. This education in Serbia should particularly be tailored towards younger men with generally unhealthy lifestyles (physically inactive smokers) and a low level of education, as they appear to consume fruits and vegetables the least.