Longitudinal and cross-sectional influences on youth fruit and vegetable consumption

Karly S. Geller, David A. Dzewaltowski

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Both cross-sectional and longitudinal research depict a decline in the fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC) of children and youths with age, but identifying developmental changes and their influences with regard to FVC cannot be fully explained with application of only one of these research designs. Reviewed here are results from longitudinal and cross-sectional research, and a proposal is presented for a lifespan development methodology that uses a sequential design strategy to illuminate themultilevel processes that determine FVC. Conclusions from the review were similar for both cross-sectional and longitudinal research, with fruit and vegetable (FV) preferences and FV accessibility/availability being the most consistent influences on FVC. Furthermore, this review illuminates several methodological issues, offering suggestions to strengthen comparisons between studies. Research designs that incorporate longitudinal, cross-sectional, and time-lag data are warranted.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)65-76
Number of pages12
JournalNutrition Reviews
Volume67
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adolescents
  • Children
  • Consumption
  • Development
  • Fruit
  • Obesity
  • Vegetables

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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