Socioeconomic and behavioral differences in the consumption of fruits and vegetables by women living in a municipality of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Objective The objective was to analyze the consumption of fruits and vegetables by women, according to sociodemographic, economic and behavioral factors. Methods The sample consisted of 311 women living in three different areas of the city of Cotia, located in the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo city, selected by two-stage cluster sampling. Their consumption of fruits and vegetables was assessed by means of a food frequency questionnaire. Consumption differences were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Unemployed women or housewives with low education level, low income and smokers living in the poor area were more likely to underconsume fruits. Consumption of leaves was more associated with eating habits than with poverty: younger women were slightly more likely to underconsume leaves. Smoking and inactivity were associated with underconsumption. Consumption of other vegetables was associated with socioeconomic levels and eating habits. Vegetables were underconsumed by younger women and by those with low education level and family income. Consumption of alcoholic beverages and inactivity also increased the likelihood of underconsuming these foods. Conclusion Consumption of fruits and vegetables varied according to socioeconomic level and eating and behavior habits.