Barriers to Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Access in Adult Patients in the Mayo-La Crosse Family Medicine Residency Clinic

作者：Khyati H. Patel, Benita N Lin, Jenna Mullins, Alexander S Mortensen, Stephen K Stacey · 发表于：Cureus · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.7759/cureus.63114 · 被引用次数：4 · 研究领域：Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations、Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet、Obesity and Health Practices

INTRODUCTION: Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in the United States, with approximately 12.8% of American households experiencing this challenge in 2023, as reported by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). In Wisconsin, a state with a notable agricultural heritage, the prevalence of food insecurity averaged 9.9% between 2019 and 2023. A growing body of research underscores the importance of consuming diets rich in fruits and vegetables for maintaining optimal health and mitigating the risk of various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and obesity. Fruits and vegetables are reservoirs of essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber, which collectively contribute to overall well-being. Despite the well-documented health benefits of fruits and vegetables, a considerable proportion of the population fails to meet the recommended daily intake of at least five servings. This disparity underscores the importance of exploring factors influencing dietary behaviors and identifying strategies to promote adherence to dietary guidelines. METHODS: Surveys were distributed by staff at the family medicine residency clinic in La Crosse, Wisconsin, during routine visits in April and May 2023. Any patients ≥18 years old presenting to the Family Health Clinic (FHC) were eligible for inclusion. Patients were excluded if they were unable to read/answer survey questions due to intellectual/language/other barriers. Surveys included...