Education, more than income level tied to produce consumption: study

A new study from Concordia University shows that people with lower education levels, even more than those with lower income levels, consumed fewer fruit and vegetables.

An article in the Montreal Gazette said that the study, which was published in Nutrition Journal, found that despite evidence that the consumption of fruit and vegetables prevent disease and obesity, most Canadians don’t eat the recommended amount of five servings.

"People with less education were not as knowledgeable about the health benefits of fruits and vegetables," said co-author Sunday Azagba, a PhD candidate in Concordia's department of economics who specializes in health economics in the Gazette.

"This study furthers our understanding of how finances or lifestyle influence fruit and vegetable consumption to eventually target groups to promote better nutrition policies."

Data was collected from almost 94,000 people aged 18 to 69.

Other study results included: people with low education and low income eat produce about 4.5 times a day, while those with higher education and income eat it over five times a day; people with higher education levels ate carrots and apples more frequently, regardless of demographic and lifestyle factors; and people with a strong sense of community tend to eat more fruit and vegetables.

The study’s results show the importance of community-based programs in educating people about the health benefits of produce.