Daily fruit and vegetable consumption and diabetes status in middle-aged females in the general US population

OBJECTIVES: Fruit and vegetable consumption may impact development of diabetes, but limited research has addressed whether daily consumption of fruits and vegetables differs by those with and without diabetes, especially within high-risk groups. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine whether daily fruit and vegetable consumption differs by diabetes status in middle-aged females in the general US population. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis used 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for females ages 45–64 years old in Arizona (n = 2609), Florida (n = 3768), Georgia (n = 1018), and Texas (n = 2092). Multiple logistic regression analysis by state assessed the relationship between the daily consumption of fruit (fruit, 100% fruit juice) and vegetables (green leafy or lettuce salad, potatoes, other vegetables) and diabetes status, while controlling for health status, health behaviors, demographic factors, and socioeconomic status. RESULTS: Across states, relatively similar proportions of participants with and without diabetes reported daily fruit consumption (with: 58%–63%; without: 61%–68%) and daily vegetable consumption (with: 58%–63%; without: 61%–68%). The results of adjusted analyses indicated that daily fruit and vegetable consumption did not differ by diabetes status across states. CONCLUSION: Across states, daily fruit and vegetable consumption did not differ by diabetes status in middle-aged females. In the primary care setting, providers should educate all females ages 45–64 on the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables and may consider sharing information about flavonoid-rich fruit and vegetable consumption for diabetes.