Fruits and vegetables are important components of a healthy diet. A diet rich in vegetables and fruits can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positive effect upon blood sugar, which can help keep appetite in check. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) recommends a daily individual intake of at least 400 g of fruits and vegetables a day, which is the equivalent of five servings of 80 g each. Yet, in spite of robust evidence for the benefits associated with normative fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC), the majority of people consistently consume less than the daily recommended fruits and vegetables intakes [1-4].

Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world. It’s not only delicious but also linked to numerous health benefits, including reduced inflammation and a lower risk of chronic disease. Though moderate intake is healthy for most people, drinking too much could lead to negative side effects, such as anxiety, headaches, digestive issues, and disrupted sleep patterns [5].

Consumption of fast foods has become almost a global phenomenon. India’s fast-food industry is expanding at the rate of 40% every year. India ranked 10th in the fast-food per capita spending figures with 2.1% of expenditure in annual total spending. Great taste, attractive appearance along with advertising has played a major role in attracting people particularly adolescents to the selling joints. Unfortunately, the current world’s adaptation to a system of consumption of fast foods has resulted in several adverse effects on health [6].

Water is basic human right which is required for the survival, sustainability and development of human’s life. A normal healthy person needs to drink about 8 glasses (2 liters) of water per day but the importance of drinking adequate amount of water is often overlooked. Various Studies suggest that long-term benefits of drinking adequate amount of water might include a lower risk of colorectal cancer and cancers of the urinary system, heart disease, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, constipation, high blood pressure, stroke and many other diseases [7].

A number of studies have done in different parts of the India to see the pattern of fruit, vegetable, water, tea and junk food consumption; such studies are limited in hilly areas of District Shimla. Thus, the present study was developed to evaluate the pattern of fruit, vegetable, water, tea and junk food consumption among adult population of District Shimla.

Objectives of the Study

To evaluate the pattern of fruit, vegetable, water, tea and junk food consumption among adult population of District Shimla.

Research Methodology

• Research Approach: Descriptive

• Research Design: Cross-sectional survey design

• Study area: District Shimla

• Study duration: between September 2021- October 2021 

• Study population: Adults population aged between 18-60 years

• Sample size: 400 adults assuming 50% adults have adequate knowledge regarding fruit, vegetable, water, tea and junk food consumption, 5% absolute error, 95% confidence level, and 5% non-response rate.

• Study tool: A google form questionnaire consisting of questions regarding socio-demography and pattern of fruit, vegetable, water, tea and junk food consumption was created. 

• Inclusive Criteria: who were willing to participate in the study.

• Exclusion Criteria: who were not willing to participate in the study

• Validity of tool: by the experts in this field

Data Collection

Data was collected under the guidance of supervisors. The google form questionnaire was circulated via online modes like e-mail and social media platforms like WhatsApp groups, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Responses were then recorded in a Google Excel spreadsheet, the information from which was used to generate graphical display.

Data Analysis

Data was collected and entered in Microsoft excel spread sheet, cleaned for errors and analysed with Epi Info V7 Software with appropriate statistical test in terms of frequencies, percentage, mean standard deviation etc.

Ethical Considerations

Participants confidentiality and anonymity were maintained.

Present study was developed to evaluate the pattern of fruit, vegetable, water, tea and junk food consumption among adult population of District Shimla. A total of 400 respondents including 194 (48.5%) females and 206 (51.5%) males from district Shimla were participated in the study. Among the participants of the majority 189 (47.3%) were in age group of 31-40 years, 159 (39.8%) were in Govt Job,338 (84.5%) were graduate and above, 235 (58.8%) were from urban area and 387 (96.8%) were belong to Hindu Religion (Table 1).

Among the total 400 study participants, majority 233 (58.3%) were taking fruits only one time a day while 206 (51.5%) were taking vegetables only one time a day (Table 2).

Among the total 400 study participants, majority 130 (32.5%) were taking 2 cups of tea /coffee in a day while 122 (30.6%) were taking 3 or more cups of tea /coffee in a day. Majority 69 (17.3 %) were taking 5 glasses of water in a day while 291 (72.75%) were taking less than 8 glasses of water in a day (Table 3).

Among the total 400 study participants, majority 175 (43.8%) were taking junk food /fast food one time in a week and 58 (14.5%) were taking junk food /fast food 3 or more times in a week (Table 4).

Table 1: Socio-demographic characteristics of study participants

Table 2: Pattern of fruit and vegetable consumption

 Table 3: Pattern of tea and water consumption

Table 4: Pattern of junk food /fast food consumption

Understanding of the faulty dietary habits and the factors responsible is very essential to develop effective intervention for promoting healthy eating and minimizing life style problems. 

In the present study, among the total 400 study participants, majority 233(58.3%) were taking fruits only one time a day while 206(51.5%) were taking vegetables only one time a day. Previous studies have found that high cost, limited availability and access, and perceived lack of cooking/preparation time can be barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption. The findings indicate a need to identify and address barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption [8]. 

A 2003 World Health Organization (WHO) report on diet, nutrition and prevention of chronic diseases says that the average intake of fruits and vegetables is 3.5 servings per day, 1.5 servings of fruits and two servings of vegetables. The average intake of the younger generation is even lower for 18-25 years it is 2.97 servings per day and for 18-35 years it is 3.3 servings per day. Among the students, the average intake is 2.94 servings per day. Housewives do better in terms of fruits and vegetables intake with an average intake of 3.65 servings as compared to working individuals who consume is 3.5 servings per day [3].

In the current study, majority 130 (32.5%) were taking 2 cups of tea /coffee in a day while 122(30.6%) were taking 3 or more cups of tea /coffee in a day. In another study, the frequency of consumption is the highest in North India, with two in five (39%) saying they have more than two cups of tea a day [9].

Most people can drink 3–4 cups (710–950 ml) of tea daily without adverse effects, but some may experience side effects at lower doses. Most of the known side effects associated with drinking tea are related to its caffeine and tannin contents. Some people are more sensitive to these compounds than others. Thus, it’s important to pay attention to how your tea habit may be affecting you personally [5].

In our study, majority 69(17.3 %) were taking 5 glasses of water in a day while 291(72.75%) were taking less than 8 glasses of water in a day. In study by Sachdeva et al. [7], mean drinking water Consumption per day was 1.33±0.76 Liters / day. It was significantly higher in males as compared to female and was significantly higher in the age group of 20-59 years.

We all know that water contributes to regular bowel function, optimal muscle performance, optimal functioning of various organ systems and clear, youthful-looking skin. However, failing to drink enough water can cause dehydration and adverse symptoms, including fatigue, headache, weakened immunity, frequent illness, poor skin health, constipation reduction in kidney function, higher frequency of urinary tract infections, confusion, lower wound healing, hypertension, stroke and many other diseases which can be prevented by consuming adequate amount of water [10,11].

In the present study, majority 175 (43.8%) were taking junk food /fast food one time in a week and 58(14.5%) were taking junk food /fast food 3 or more times in a week. In another study by Joseph N et al 12, consumption of fast foods thrice a week was reported ranging from 6.9% to 43.3%. In spite of good number of participants being of health hazards of fast foods, the need to control its usage was felt by 65.1% only in that study.

There is a need for nutrition counseling to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice about healthy eating behavior. Health promotion campaigns emphasizing health hazards of lower intake of fruit, vegetable and Water as well as increased Tea and Junk Food consumption needs to be organized by the health care workers in this area to encourage the creation of favorable environment. These campaigns will help in minimizing the life style disorders among adult population to a greater extent and further helps in improving the nutritional status of people.

1. Wu, Y.-H. et al. "Tracing the single and combined contributions of home-grown supply and health literacy on fruit and vegetable consumption: an empirical exploration in rural India." Frontiers in Public Health, vol. 9, 2021, p. 591439.

2. Bertoia, M.L. et al. "Changes in intake of fruits and vegetables and weight change in united states men and women followed for up to 24 years: analysis from three prospective cohort studies." PLoS Medicine, vol. 12, no. 9, 2015, p. e1001878.

3. Down to Earth. "India’s fruit and vegetable intake less than standard, finds study." Available at: https:// www. downtoearth. org. in/ news/ food/ India- s- fruit- and- vegetable- intake- less- than- standard-finds- study-52724. Accessed 21 Oct. 2021.

4. World Health Organization. Increasing Fruit and Vegetable Consumption to Reduce the Risk of Non-Communicable Diseases. Available at: https:// www. who. int/ elena/ titles/ fruit_vegetables_ncds/en/. Accessed 22 Oct. 2021.

5. Niu, F. et al. "Side effects of tea: 9 reasons not to drink too much." Healthline, 2022, https:// www. healthline. com/ nutrition/ side-effects-of-tea.

6. Healthline. "The side effects of tea." Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/side-effects-of-tea#The-bottom-line. Accessed 22 Oct. 2021.

7. Ashakiran, R. and Deepthi. "Fast Foods and Their Impact on Health." Journal of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences University, vol. 1, 2012, pp. 7–15.

8. Sachdeva, A. et al. "Pattern of Drinking Water Consumption Among Residents of Rural Area in District Shimla." Global Academic Journal of Medical Sciences, vol. 2, no. 4, 2020, pp. 20–24.

9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in the U.S." Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2017/p1116-fruit-vegetable-consumption.html. Accessed 25 Oct. 2021.

10. YouGov. "Majority of Indians Think Theirs is a Tea-Drinking Nation." Available at: https://in.yougov.com/en-hi/news/2019/11/27/majority-indians-think-theirs-tea-drinking-nation/. Accessed 27 Oct. 2021.

11. Medical News Today. "Water: Do We Really Need 8 Glasses a Day?" Available at: https:// www. medicalnewstoday. com/ articles/30663. Accessed 27 Oct. 2021.

12. One Medical. "Do I Really Need to Drink 8 Glasses of Water a Day?" Available at: https:// www. onemedical. com/ blog/ live-well/dailywater-intake/. Accessed 29 Oct. 2021.

13. Joseph, N. et al. "Fast-Food consumption pattern and its association with overweight among high school boys in mangalore city of southern India." Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, vol. 9, no. 5, 2015, pp. LC13–LC17.