Vegetable Consumption by Older Adults in Japan

Background: The importance and health benefits of vegetables are well known, while the nutritional requirements of older adults are different from those of younger adults. Objective: This study investigated vegetable consumption by gender and age groups among Japanese older adults. Method: A total...

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Main Authors: Lee, Andy, Hirayama, Fumi
Other Authors: Claudia Wilson
Format: Book Chapter
Published: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. 2012
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/38131
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author Lee, Andy
Hirayama, Fumi
author2 Claudia Wilson
author_facet Claudia Wilson
Lee, Andy
Hirayama, Fumi
author_sort Lee, Andy
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Background: The importance and health benefits of vegetables are well known, while the nutritional requirements of older adults are different from those of younger adults. Objective: This study investigated vegetable consumption by gender and age groups among Japanese older adults. Method: A total of 558 eligible participants (341 men and 217 women) aged 55 to 75 years were recruited from 10 districts/prefectures in middle and southern Japan. Information on habitual vegetable consumption was obtained by face-to-face interviews using a validated and reliable food frequency questionnaire. Results: Women were found to consume more vegetables (mean 274, SD 166 g/day) than men (mean 207, SD 135 g/day) overall (p < 0.001) and across age groups 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70-75 years. However, the intake levels of both genders did not vary significantly between age groups. The Japanese government has recommended an intake level of 350g or more per day for individuals. It is alarming that 83% of participants did not eat an adequate amount of vegetables. Conclusion: Japanese older adults especially men should be encouraged to increase their vegetable consumption in order to maintain their health and well-being.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-381312023-02-07T08:01:20Z Vegetable Consumption by Older Adults in Japan Lee, Andy Hirayama, Fumi Claudia Wilson Melinda Morree Background: The importance and health benefits of vegetables are well known, while the nutritional requirements of older adults are different from those of younger adults. Objective: This study investigated vegetable consumption by gender and age groups among Japanese older adults. Method: A total of 558 eligible participants (341 men and 217 women) aged 55 to 75 years were recruited from 10 districts/prefectures in middle and southern Japan. Information on habitual vegetable consumption was obtained by face-to-face interviews using a validated and reliable food frequency questionnaire. Results: Women were found to consume more vegetables (mean 274, SD 166 g/day) than men (mean 207, SD 135 g/day) overall (p < 0.001) and across age groups 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70-75 years. However, the intake levels of both genders did not vary significantly between age groups. The Japanese government has recommended an intake level of 350g or more per day for individuals. It is alarming that 83% of participants did not eat an adequate amount of vegetables. Conclusion: Japanese older adults especially men should be encouraged to increase their vegetable consumption in order to maintain their health and well-being. 2012 Book Chapter http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/38131 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. restricted
spellingShingle Lee, Andy
Hirayama, Fumi
Vegetable Consumption by Older Adults in Japan
title Vegetable Consumption by Older Adults in Japan
title_full Vegetable Consumption by Older Adults in Japan
title_fullStr Vegetable Consumption by Older Adults in Japan
title_full_unstemmed Vegetable Consumption by Older Adults in Japan
title_short Vegetable Consumption by Older Adults in Japan
title_sort vegetable consumption by older adults in japan
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/38131