Food cost analysis associated with fruit and vegetable intake

The purpose of this study was to investigate how food costs effects adolescents' healthy eating habits related to their shopping habits, fiuit and vegetable intake, and number of meals eaten away from home. A total of 60 single day food records of 7th and 8th graders in a low income area were analyzed based on daily food costs. Daily food costs were split into three methods: generic brand, brand name, and 'alternate'. ANOVA and at-test was utilized to analyze the hypotheses with a significance level set at p:S;O.OS. The daily food cost using generic brand items was significantly less ($3.78+/-2.08) (p = 0.000) than buying name brand items ($5.10+/-2.16). There was no significant difference between high and low fruit and vegetable consumption groups and all three costing methods (p = 0.331,p = 0.732,p = 0.384). Adolescents who ate one or more restaurant/fast food meals had significantly higher food costs across all three pricing methods (p = O.OOI ,p = 0.036,p = 0.000). Daily food costs were similar to those described in the Thrifty Food Plan, and it appears that buying generic name foods, obtaining adequate fiuit and vegetable intake, and limiting meals eaten away from home will aide in decreasing food costs and increasing nutrient value.