ABSTRACT
Background: There is conflicting information about whether
Scottish children follow the UK government recommendation of consuming 5
portions of fruit and vegetable (F & V) a day, or whether increased intake of F & V promotes improved health. Objective: This study aimed to 1)
perform a cross-sectional study of the number of F & V portions that primary school children consume in relation to age (4 - 13 years old) and sex, 2) establish the relationship between F & V intake and health parameters. Methods: Data were collected from
466 children using a specific F & V intake questionnaire. Health parameters (weight,
height, blood pressure, waist circumference, hip circumference and lung
function) were measured from all of the children. Results: Children
consumed on average a total of 4.50 (SD 1.86) portions of F & V per day. F & V intake was not significantly different between girls and boys (t(464) = -0.397, P = 0.69). Children had greater intake of F&V on week day
compared to weekend day (t(465) = 6.42, P ≤ 0.001). 42.2% children achieved the
recommended F & V intake of five or more portions per day. After adjusting for age, sex
and school, children who consumed more F & V had several markers of positive health including greater height, and
parameters reflecting pulmonary function (FEV1 and FVC) were improved, while
body weight, body fat, systolic blood pressure, pulse, waist circumference, hip
circumference, waist to hip and waist to height ratio were all reduced. Conclusion: The recommended level of F & V or more can promote health among primary age children.