2012 Volume 70 Issue 5 Pages 283-293
Objective: This study investigated the total vegetable intake and homegrown vegetable intake, from the viewpoint of food accessibility, in the rural area residents of Hokkaido.
Methods: Totally, 44 subjects above 30 years of age and residing in Bifuka, Hokkaido were asked to complete a dietary survey questionnaire conducted during all 4 seasons. Information on the means of obtaining the vegetables (homegrown, received gift, or purchased) and the contents of the diet was collected and recorded. Based on the average annual total vegetable intake, the subjects were divided into high and low vegetable-intake groups. The intake of different food groups was examined in both groups. Subsequently, in both the high and low vegetable-intake groups, the means of obtaining vegetables were evaluated in farmers and non-farmers. In order to examine the factors that contribute to the total vegetable intake, we conducted a multiple regression analysis in the non-farmer and farmer groups.
Results: The non-farmers of the high vegetable intake group had a higher intake of homegrown vegetables compared to that in non-farmers of the low vegetable intake group. All farmers consumed mostly homegrown vegetables, although the high vegetable-intake group consumed more homegrown vegetables than the low vegetable-intake group. Furthermore, we found that homegrown and received gift vegetable intake contributed significantly to the total vegetable intake.
Conclusion: The relation of taking in the homegrown vegetable and there being many total vegetable intakes was suggested.
