Knowledge and Attitudes About Vegetable Consumption Affects Body Weight Status ofKentucky Adults

A diet rich in vegetables have higher contents of key nutrients, such as folate, potassium, and vitamins A and C and fewer calories per serving than other foods. Thus, vegetable consumption can play an important part in reducing incidence of overweight and obesity. The objective of this study was to assess the critical knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to vegetable consumption and body weight status of adults in Kentucky. A total of 280 visitors to the 2008 Kentucky State Fair were recruited to fill out a questionnaire before they were given a free analysis of their body composition (body fat %) with a Tanita TBF -521 body composition analyzer. Frequency of vegetable consumption was negatively correlated with current body mass index and body fat percent of the subjects. The proportion of people within the normal weight range was higher among people who grew up eating vegetables, who considered vegetables taste good and knew the current recommendations for vegetable consumption. People who have low consumption of vegetables or only eat lettuce raw with dressings were more likely to be overweight or obese. Our results suggested that effective educational programs are needed to improve people’s knowledge of and attitudes toward vegetables so they may increase their vegetable consumption to reduce the risk of obesity.