Selected individual determinants of cereal, fruit and vegetable consumption among menopausal women in view of potential health risks

The aim of this study was to analyze some personal determinants of cereal, fruit and vegetable consumption in a group of menopausal women. We analyzed selected individual characteristics, such as the level of general self-efficacy, optimism, and satisfaction with life. The study, using a questionnaire assessing the frequency of food product consumption and psychological scales (GSES, LOT-R, SWLS), included 320 women aged between 45 and 55 years.

Statistical analysis of the Spearman’s rank coefficients of correlation revealed that increased BMI was associated with a significantly higher frequency of white bread consumption (p < 0.05), and decreased consumption of brown rice, whole grains (p  < 0.01), wholegrain noodles, oat meal (p < 0.05), raw and green vegetables (p < 0.01), and fruits, including citruses (p < 0.01). The level of self-efficacy correlated positively with the consumption frequency of white rice (p < 0.05), noodles, raw, cooked, and green vegetables (p < 0.01), and fruits, including citruses (p < 0.01). The level of optimism was positively correlated with the frequency of brown rice, noodle, whole grain and oat meal consumption (p < 0.01). Higher levels of satisfaction with life were associated with more frequent consumption of brown rice, noodles, whole grains, oat meal (p < 0.01), and cooked vegetables (p < 0.05), as well as with a lower frequency of white bread consumption (p < 0.05). The tendencies documented in the correlation analysis were further confirmed by intergroup comparisons with the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests (p < 0.05).

Our study revealed that the frequency of selected cereal, fruit and vegetable consumption varies depending on individual characteristics, with a tendency to more rational nutritional choices among women with higher levels of self-efficacy, optimism and satisfaction with life.