Nutrition in Umbria: Adherence to five-a-day

Introduction. Our study aim has been to investigate if the Umbrian population follows the healthy diet recommendations; mainly we focused on the daily intake of almost 5 portions of fruit and vegetables (five-a-day). Furthermore, we analyzed the relationship between fruits and vegetables consumption and other lifestyles in order to construct the relative health profile. Materials and methods. Data were extracted from three national population-based surveillance systems, including children (OKkio alla SALUTE), adults aged 18-69 years (PASSI) and elderly people (PASSI d'Argento). Among the 18-69 year-old people, multivariable analyses were used to compare the fruits/vegetables daily consumption with socio-demographic variables and healthy lifestyles patterns. Results. Fruits/vegetables average intake was less than 5 portions/ day in all age groups, and it was significantly lower when compared to the national average. The 5 fruits/vegetables daily portions consumption is more frequent with increasing age, higher education and among women. Moreover among the 18-69 year-old people, five-a-day was significantly associated with no economic difficulties, normal weight, not being sedentary, not being smoker, not alcohol drinking. Conclusions. In Umbria region the 5 portions/ day consumption was largely below the guidelines. Moreover, due to the associations, it could be used as a good trace of healthy lifestyles.