Fruit and vegetable intake in Germany

Abstract

To date, the recommendations of the German Nutrition Society on fruit and vegetable intake have not been met by the majority of the population. In the first wave of the “German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults” (DEGS1), which was conducted from 2008 to 2011, food consumption was determined with a validated food frequency questionnaire in a representative random sample of the 18–79-year-old resident population of Germany (n=7,116). The number of portions of fruit and vegetables consumed on average every day and the number of persons meeting the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables per day were calculated. On average, women consume 3.1 and men 2.4 portions of fruit and vegetables per day. Moreover, 15% of women and 7% of men reach the recommended quantity of five portions per day. Fruit intake increases in both men and women up to the age of 60–69 years. About 39% of women and 25% of men consume at least three portions of fruit and vegetables per day. The proportion of men and women who consume at least three portions per day tends to increase with rising socioeconomic status. Although the intake of fruit has increased slightly compared to previous surveys, the percentage of persons who consume five portions of fruit and vegetables per day is still very low.