A systematic review of methods to assess intake of fruits and vegetables among healthy European adults and children: a DEDIPAC (DEterminants of DIet and Physical Activity) study

• Published in: Public health nutrition 2017-02, Vol.20 (3), p.417-448
• Main Authors: Riordan, Fiona, Ryan, Kathleen, Perry, Ivan J, Schulze, Matthias B, Andersen, Lene Frost, Geelen, Anouk, van’t Veer, Pieter, Eussen, Simone, Dagnelie, Pieter, Wijckmans-Duysens, Nicole, Harrington, Janas M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Assessment and Methodology; Child; Children; DEDIPAC; Diet; Diet - statistics & numerical data; Diet Surveys - methods; Diet Surveys - standards; Dietary assessment; Epidemiology; Europe; European studies; Exercise; Female; Food; Fruit; Fruits; Fruits and vegetables; Health care; Humans; Legumes; Male; Nutrition research; Public health; Research Paper; Solanum tuberosum; Systematic review; Vegetables; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1368-9800; 1475-2727
• DOI: 10.1017/S1368980016002366

Evidence suggests that health benefits are associated with consuming recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables (F&V), yet standardised assessment methods to measure F&V intake are lacking. The current review aims to identify methods to assess F&V intake among children and adults in pan-European studies and inform the development of the DEDIPAC (DEterminants of DIet and Physical Activity) toolbox of methods suitable for use in future European studies. A literature search was conducted using three electronic databases and by hand-searching reference lists. English-language studies of any design which assessed F&V intake were included in the review. Studies involving two or more European countries were included in the review. Healthy, free-living children or adults. The review identified fifty-one pan-European studies which assessed F&V intake. The FFQ was the most commonly used (n 42), followed by 24 h recall (n 11) and diet records/diet history (n 7). Differences existed between the identified methods; for example, the number of F&V items on the FFQ and whether potatoes/legumes were classified as vegetables. In total, eight validated instruments were identified which assessed F&V intake among adults, adolescents or children. The current review indicates that an agreed classification of F&V is needed in order to standardise intake data more effectively between European countries. Validated methods used in pan-European populations encompassing a range of European regions were identified. These methods should be considered for use by future studies focused on evaluating intake of F&V.