Impact of fruit and vegetable consumption on standardized body mass index (zBMI) of Mexican-American adolescents

Introduction: Disproportionately high obesity rates among Mexican-American youth is a major health concern. Increased fruit and vegetable consumption is often recommended to reduce standardized body mass index (zBMI). This study aimed to examine differences in fruit and vegetable consumption between Mexican-American adolescents who decreased zBMI and those who didn’t. Methods: Using the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire, adolescents reported fruit and vegetable intake at baseline and following a 6-month, school-based obesity intervention. At both time points, height and weight were directly measured to calculate zBMI. T-tests assessed baseline differences in zBMI, fruit, and vegetable consumption between those who reduced zBMI and those who didn’t. Controlling for energy consumed, separate repeated measures ANCOVA models examined differences in fruit and vegetable consumption overtime between groups. Results: T-tests indicated no baseline differences in zBMI, fruit, or vegetable consumption between groups. Repeated measures ANCOVA found no difference in fruit (F=1.14,p=0.29) or vegetable (F=0.94,p=0.33) consumption overtime between Mexican-American adolescents who reduced their zBMI and those who didn’t. Conclusions: Results of this study don’t support increased fruit or vegetable consumption alone as a strategy to decrease zBMI. Future research should explore fruit and vegetable intake alongside other dietary changes to reduce zBMI.