Background: High daily intake of fruit and vegetables promotes
population health and is inversely associated with morbidity and
mortality. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics are
among main predictors of fruit and vegetables consumption.
The current study aimed to evaluate these associations using
province-level data in Iran during the years 2007-2009.
Methods: Data on the mean number of fruit and vegetables
consumption per day in age and sex stratum at the province level
from three consecutive stepwise non-communicable diseases
risk factors surveys were obtained. Data about provinces’
socioeconomic status (SES) were obtained from the Statistical
Centre of Iran and published reports. One-way repeated measures
ANOVA and random effect linear regression models were applied
for non-stratified and stratified analyses, respectively.
Results: There were substantial variations in the fruit and vegetables
consumption across the country. Consumption of vegetables was
higher than fruit over the study period. There were no statistically
significant differences in fruit (P = 0.52) and vegetables (P = 0.14)
intake among men and women. Older age was associated with
lower consumption of fruit. People in the provinces with better
SES consumed higher amounts of combined fruit and vegetables
and this association was more profound among females.
Conclusions: The results suggest that policies and interventions
to improve the intake of fruit and vegetables in the country may
be significantly beneficial, especially for older people and women
in low socioeconomic groups.