Seasonality in Iranian Fruit and Vegetable Dietary Intake

Background: Increased intake of fruits and vegetables may reduce the prevalence of certain chronic diseases. Seasonality, may affect the availability and quantity of fruit and vegetable diet. Objectives: We aimed to assess the seasonal fluctuations in intake of fruit and vegetable as well as vitamin A and C among Iranian households. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the existing data of the latest Iranian household food pattern study, collected by three consecutive 24 hours recalls. Totally 7158 Iranian households were selected by Iranian statistic center by a systematic cluster random sampling method. Calculation of energy and nutrients consumptions were made by an access program designed using Iranian food composition table and Modified by USDA and database. Cooking coefficient has been considered for vitamin C. Data were expressed as mean and SE. Intakes during different seasons were compared by one-way ANOVA test. A Newman-Keuls post hoc analysis was used to locate statistical significance in seasons, when an ANOVA was significant. Results: The highest consumption of vegetables was seen in summer (289 ± 3.4 g/day) while the lowest was in winter (224 ± 3.2 g/day) (P 0.1). Fruit consumption showed a more dramatic variation, with a peak in summer (263 ± 6/1 g/day) (P 0.1) and the lowest level in spring (143 ± 5.0). Energy intake showed a significant but not sharp variation (P 0.01). Vitamin C had a dramatically significant variation (P 0.01), with the lowest in the spring. Seasonal variations were not significant in vitamin A intake. Conclusions: Due to seasonal variations in fruit and vegetable dietary intakes, the interventional and case-control studies should consider seasonality. Educational and price controlling programs may control such observed seasonality in the intake of fruit and vegetables.