Fruit and vegetable consumption among 3–5-year-old Finnish children and their parents : is there an association?

Abstract

This study investigated the association between the home food environment and the consumption frequency of raw and cooked vegetables, berries and fruit among 3–5-year-old children and their mothers and fathers. The target group consisted of 3–5-year-old children (N=114) attending public early childhood education and care, and their parents (N=100). Cross-sectional data were collected from the parents with questionnaires assessing the home food environment, children and parents’ vegetable, berry and fruit consumption, and food neophobia. Linear mixed-effects models and principal component analysis were used to examine the association of parental consumption and the home food environment with children’s vegetable, berry and fruit consumption. The results showed low consumption of fruit and vegetables among 3–5-year-old children and their mothers and fathers. Maternal consumption was associated with children’s raw and cooked vegetable, berry and fruit consumption, whereas paternal consumption was only associated with cooked vegetables. This study identified that home food environment factors influencing children’s consumption habits vary for raw and cooked vegetables, berries and fruit.