Analysis of Fruit Consumption and the Korean Healthy Eating Index of Adults Using the 2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract

This study investigated fruit consumption and the relationship between fruit intake and the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) in Korean adults. Data was collected from 5,703 adults aged 19 and above based on the 2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Participants were divided into fruit-consuming and non-fruit-consuming groups. The fruit intake rate showed significant differences by gender (P<0.001), education (P<0.01), household income (P<0.001), and age (P<0.001). Most of the consumption was by eating the fruit directly rather than cooking it and a significant portion of the fruit consumed was in the form of processed food or fresh fruit (as a general food) (43.1%). Approximately 49.8% of participants ate fruit as a snack. The average KHEI score was 62.51 points out of 100 and the score of the fruit-consuming group (65.21 points) was significantly higher than that of the non-fruit-consuming group (55.41 points) (P<0.001). Based on the results of the study, we can conclude that the fruit-consuming group was significantly better placed in food intake and balance of energy intake than non-fruit-consuming group. Thus, it is imperative to eat fruit to elevate the KHEI score. It is also necessary to promote fruit consumption keeping in mind the proper cooking method based on the characteristics of the fruit.