Date of Award

December 2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Nutrition & Dietetics

First Advisor

Desiree Tande

Abstract

The consumption of whole fruit is well established to promote health and prevent disease. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans includes both whole fruit and 100% fruit juice in its intake recommendations. Compositional differences between whole fruit and 100% fruit juice may exist especially with regard to health-promoting dietary fiber. Based on potential compositional differences, a primary hypothesis was created: whole fruit consumption frequency will be lower in adults with less favorable cardiovascular measures. Additionally, a secondary hypothesis was created: 100% fruit juice consumption frequency will be higher in adults with less favorable cardiovascular measures. To explore the hypothesis, a cross-sectional, secondary data analysis was performed using data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The results of the analysis showed lower whole fruit consumption frequency and higher 100% fruit juice consumption frequency in adults with reported cardiovascular disease. Based on these findings, additional research should examine the relationship between fruit form and cardiovascular health as well as how to increase whole fruit consumption in the U.S. population.

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