Determinants and constraints of fruit and vegetable consumption in Uzbekistan

Since 1991, fruit and vegetable production has been expanding in Uzbekistan. Although national supply exceeds the recommended amounts, individual-level fruit and vegetable intake remains inadequate with a strong seasonal pattern. The supply of horticultural products in Uzbekistan is characterized by seasonal fluctuations, which influence decisions on consumption via prices and other factors. Data for this paper are drawn from a food consumption survey conducted in Tashkent province. A total of 931 persons were interviewed twice - in summer 2014 and again in winter 2015. The seasonality of individual-level fruit and vegetable intake was confirmed by the survey data. Such fluctuations resulted in variations of nutrient content of consumed fruit and vegetables derived from food composition tables. Multiple linear regression analysis examined the relationships between various factors and the consumption of fruit and vegetables. Regression results showed that income, food knowledge and household size had a strong positive effect on fruit and vegetable intake among the adult population. Across all population groups, the winter season was positively associated with consumption, while age and prices had a strong negative effect. Food knowledge positively influenced nutrient intake for all the population. High income elasticity of demand was observed for children for derived nutrients. This paper adds to the discussion on the benefits of food and nutrition education among all population groups.