Fruit and vegetable consumption and self-reported functional health in men and women in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer-Norfolk (EPIC-Norfolk): A population-based cross-sectional study
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OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and self-reported physical and mental functional health measured by an anglicised short-form 36-item questionnaire (UK SF-36). DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. SETTING: General community in Norfolk, UK. SUBJECTS: A total of 16,792 men and women aged 40-79 years recruited from general practice population registers as part of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk study, who completed food-frequency questionnaires in 1993-1997 and Health and Life Experiences Questionnaires 18 months later, were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: Mean SF-36 physical component summary scores increased significantly with increasing total fruit and vegetable consumption in both men and women (P < 0.0001 for trend). Men and women in the top quartile of consumption compared with the bottom quartile had a significantly higher likelihood of reporting good physical health (defined as a score > or = 55); odds ratio (OR) 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11-1.53 for men and OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.11-1.48 for women, after controlling for age, body mass index, smoking, education, social class, prevalent illness and total energy intake. Exclusion of current smokers and people with prevalent illness did not alter the associations. CONCLUSION: Higher fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with better self-reported physical functional health within a general population. Increasing daily intake by two portions of fruit and vegetables was associated with an 11% higher likelihood of good functional health. Since the current average consumption of fruit and vegetables in the UK is about three portions, the recommended 'five a day' strategy may have additional benefit for functional as well as other health outcomes in the population.
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High intakes of fruits and vegetables (the major source of vitamin C in the diet) are associated with better self-reported physical functional health.
“This study is consistent with the previous finding that high intakes of fruits and vegetables (the major source of vitamin C in the diet) were associated with better self-reported physical functional health [111].”
From Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence (2020) · cites this paper as [111]
Our finding is in line with a large body of epidemiological and trial evidence on the beneficial role of fruit and vegetable intake in general well-being and prevention of major chronic disease across several populations and age groups.
“Our finding is, of course, in line with a large body of epidemiological and trial evidence on the beneficial role of fruit and vegetable intake in general well-being and prevention of major chronic disease across several populations and age groups.28–29 44–46”
From Major health-related behaviours and mental well-being in the general population: the Health Survey for England (2014) · cites this paper as [44]
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- Authors
- Myint, P. K., Welch, A. A., Bingham, S. A., Surtees, P. G., Wainwright, N. W., Luben, R. N., Wareham, N. J., Smith, R. D., Harvey, I. M., Day, N. E., & Khaw, K.-T.
- Affiliations
- University of East Anglia (GB)
- University of Cambridge (GB)
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit (GB)
- MRC Epidemiology Unit (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Myint, Phyo K
- Venue
- Public Health Nutrition
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 2007-01
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 34-41
- ISSN
- 1368-9800 (ISSN-L)
- 1475-2727
- OpenAlex
- W2096483844
- Cited by
- 94
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2025: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 5.85
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Public Health Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- LSHTM Research Online (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) (acceptedVersion)
- UEA Digital Repository (University of East Anglia) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Wellcome Trust (G0300128)
- Cancer Research UK
- British Heart Foundation
- Stroke Association
- European Commission
- Medical Research Council (G0300128)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutrition and Health Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
- Keywords
- fruit and vegetable intake, self-reported health, physical health, mental health, SF-36, dietary intake, middle-aged and older adults, EPIC-Norfolk
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Cross-Sectional Studies, Diet Surveys, Female, Fruit, United Kingdom, Health Status, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Physical Fitness, Prospective Studies, Surveys and Questionnaires, Self Concept, Self Disclosure, Vegetables, Cohort Studies, Confidence Intervals, Likelihood Functions, Odds Ratio
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