Factors Associated With Fruits and Vegetables Consumption among Primary School Students In Tegal, Central Java

Background: Fruits and vegetables consumption is important to prevent weight gain and reduce the risk of obesity, an independent risk-factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Around 3.9 million deaths worldwide in 2017 were caused by a lack of fruits and vegetables consumption. This study aimed to factors associated with fruits and vegetables consumption among primary school students. Subjects and Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out at 25 primary schools in Tegal, Central Java, from April to May 2019. A sample of 200 students was selected for this study by simple random sampling. The dependent variable was fruits and vege­tables consumption. The independent variables were sex, knowledge, social economy, fruits and vegetables availability, source of information, favorite food, food se­lection, and parental role. Data on fruits and vegetables consumption was measured by food frequency questioner (FFQ). The other variables were collected by a multiple logistic regression. Results: Fruits consumption increased with good knowledge (OR= 2.69; 95% CI= 1.09 to 6.59; p= 0.031), high family income (OR= 7.06; 95% CI= 2.93 to 17.00; p<0.001), fruits availability (OR= 2.74; 95% CI= 1.15 to 6.55; p= 0.023), good information (OR= 3.06; 95% CI= 1.13 to 8.27; p= 0.027), food selection (OR= 5.35; 95% CI= 0.82 to 34.9; p= 0.080), and parental role (OR= 3.33; 95% CI= 1.31 to 8.46; p= 0.027), but it was decreased by male gender (OR= 0.38; 95% CI= 0.16 to 0.89; p=0.028). Vegetables consumption increased with family income (OR= 2.26; 95% CI= 1.04 to 4.90; p= 0.039), vegetables availability (OR= 3.02; 95% CI= 1.53 to 5.94; p= 0.001), parental role (OR= 2.52; 95% CI= 1.18 to 5.39; p= 0.016), and good knowledge (OR= 1.79; 95% CI= 0.92 to 3.50; p= 0.087), but it was decreased by male gender (OR= 0.47; 95% CI= 0.24 to 0.92; p= 0.029). Conclusion: Fruits consumption increases with good knowledge, high family income, fruits availability, good information, food selection, and parental role, but it is dec­reased by male gender. Vegetables consumption increases with family income, ve­ge­tables availability, parental role, and good knowledge, but it is decreased by male gen­der. Keywords: fruits and vegetables, consumption, food selection