Factors affecting low fruit and vegetable consumption in Scotland: a review of factors affecting fruit and vegetable consumption

The recently published ‘Scottish Diet’¹ emphasizes the importance of diet in Scotland's poor health record, and sets dietary targets for the year 2000. Fruit and vegetable intake is considerably lower in Scotland than in the rest of the U.K. This paper gives details of the low levels of fruit and vegetable consumption in Scotland in relation to the rest of the U.K., and then goes on to review the factors affecting consumption of these foods, and in particular to discuss them in terms of the Scottish situation. Finally, an agenda for research in this area is outlined, emphasizing the need for further information on the interrelationships between the different factors affecting fruit and vegetable consumption, in order to inform future strategies for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in Scotland.