Barriers toward fruit and vegetable consumption in a multiethnic worksite population

In this study, we identified barriers to fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption in a multiethnic worksite population and related them to F&V intake and demographics. Data were collected through Treatwell 5-A-Day, a randomized, controlled, worksite-based intervention study designed to increase F&V intake in community health center workers. The self-administered survey included questions on demographics, eating habits, and barriers to F&V intake. Barriers were scored, with higher values reflecting higher perceived barriers, resulting in three factors: general (including taste, time, and availability at home and restaurants), expense, and worksite availability. The general and expense barriers scores were higher and worksite barriers scores lower in nonwhites and those with less education, with lower incomes, and in labor, service, or paraprofessional occupations. General barriers scores decreased with increasing age and the expense barrier score was higher in women. In multivariate analysis, ethnicity, occupation, and age were no longer associated with the general barriers score when education and income were controlled. There was a significant education by income interaction. Only the general barriers score was significantly associated with F&V intake. In conclusion, perceived barriers to F&V intake increased with decreasing income and education, especially at low incomes, and were related to lower consumption of F&V.