Determinants of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Health Behaviors

Fruit and vegetable consumption represents a cornerstone of preventive nutrition, offering protection against non-communicable diseases and contributing to overall health maintenance. Yet global intake remains below the recommended minimum of five daily portions in most populations. Determinants of consumption operate across multiple levels. At the individual level, socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, education and income interact with psychological constructs including nutritional knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy. Social influences—family norms, peer behaviours and cultural preferences—shape dietary routines, while the physical environment governs access through availability, affordability, retail infrastructure and seasonality. At the macro level, agricultural policies, supply-chain dynamics, pricing strategies and media campaigns exert broad effects on both supply and demand. A socio-ecological framework integrates these intersecting domains, illuminating the interplay between personal capacities and external constraints. Understanding these determinants is vital for designing targeted interventions, from community-based education and market-based incentives to regulatory measures and policy reforms. Globally, tailored strategies that address specific barriers—such as poor market access in rural settings, unequal food distribution in urban food deserts, or ingrained cultural biases—are essential to elevate fruit and vegetable consumption and achieve sustainable improvements in public health outcomes.

Research from Nature Portfolio

A large cross-national analysis of adolescents in low- and middle-income countries revealed that fewer than 30 percent meet World Health Organization guidelines for daily fruit and vegetable intake. The study highlighted persistent gender disparities, with boys tending to have slightly higher consumption and physical activity levels. Regional variations were evident, underscoring the influence of socio-cultural context and economic conditions. These findings demonstrate the need for adolescent-focused dietary policies and suggest that school-based and community interventions should be adapted to regional patterns to be effective.

Determinants of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Health Behaviors publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in determinants of fruit and vegetable consumption in health behaviors across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Socio-ecological model: A conceptual framework that recognises multiple levels of influence on health behaviours, from individual psychology to policy environment.

Non-communicable diseases: Chronic conditions not transmitted between individuals, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain cancers.

Self-efficacy: An individual’s confidence in their ability to perform specific behaviours, such as selecting and preparing fruits and vegetables.

Food environment: The physical, economic and social settings that determine the availability, accessibility and appeal of food choices.

References

1. Consumption of fruits and vegetables among adolescents in Arab Countries: a systematic review. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (2023).
2. Factors affecting fruit and vegetable consumption and purchase behavior of adults in sub-Saharan Africa: A rapid review. Frontiers in Nutrition (2023).
3. A comparative study of fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity among adolescents in 49 Low-and-Middle-Income Countries. Scientific Reports (2018).