Low consumption of fruits and vegetables (F&Vs) is prevalent among US adults, especially those with chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a study published in the Journal of Renal Nutrition. Shirin Pourafshar, PhD, and colleagues characterized patterns of F&V intake in US adults with and without CKD using data from multiple NHANES cycles (1988-1994; 2003-2010; and 2011-2018). F&Vs were categorized based on food processing and phytochemical content. Patterns of F&Vs were assessed and intake patterns were compared across the three temporal cohorts and CKD status. In each cycle, four similar patterns of F&V intake emerged: low overall intake, high unprocessed, high ultra-processed, and moderate processed F&V. In all cohorts and CKD groups, the overall low intake pattern was most prevalent. In each cohort, participants with versus without CKD were more likely to be classified as overall low intake after adjustment for demographic variables and selected health conditions; this finding was not significant in NHANES 2011- 2018.
