Fruit consumption and associated factors in an urban Western Amazonia population

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze fruit consumption among young people and adults in Mâncio Lima, Acre, and the variables associated with this fruit consumption. An observational cross-sectional study was carried out in the urban area of Mâncio Lima, Acre, in 2012. 820 individuals aged between 17 and 99 years were interviewed. The sampling of the urban area was done by random choice of 20% of the households stratified by neighborhood. The variables collected were individual, socioeconomic, household, possession of consumer goods, and frequency of consumption of fruits as well as other food categories. The frequency of fruit consumption more than 4 times a week was 39.2%. It was associated with greater consumption of fruits, living in masonry homes, being part of the richest half of the population, having more than 8 years of schooling and consuming vegetables more frequently. Fruit consumption in the urban population of Mâncio Lima is within expectations for Brazil and below that recommended by OMS, being associated with higher income and education. Despite the great availability of fruits in the country, they are not accessible to all segments of the population.