Resumen

LOPEZ-GUEVARA, San Juana et al. Benefits and barriers perceived by Mexican adolescents for consuming fruit and vegetables. ALAN [online]. 2009, vol.59, n.2, pp.174-178. ISSN 0004-0622.

The objectives of this descriptive study were to establish the benefits and barriers perceived by adolescents for consuming fruit and vegetables, and to determine gender differences. A random sample of 829 adolescents attending public secondary schools in Matamoros, Tamaulipas was recruited (398 were males, and 431) with a mean age of 13.11±0.93 years. A scale of benefits and barriers for consuming fruit and vegetables was used. The most important perceived benefits for males were: “I’d take care of my health eating more fruit and vegetables” (4.24±0 .99), “I like the taste of fruit” (4.21±1.06), and “eating fruit and vegetables would give me more vitamins and minerals (4.20±1.07). For females the perceived benefits were: “I like the taste of fruits” (4.48±0.81), and “I’d take care of my health eating more fruit and vegetables” (4.41±0.91). Adolescents of both genders, pointed out as barrier pesticides in fruit and vegetables (3.14±1.31 for males and 2.97±1.22 for females). Findings showed that perceived benefits and barriers have differences by gender. Females perceive higher benefits 24.25±9.15 (p= 0.001). Males perceived higher barriers 24.94±7.28 (p=0.001). In conclusions, benefits and barriers are different by gender. Given the great cultural diversity in Mexico, these findings in students residing in this border city must be validated with similarly designed studies

Palabras clave : Benefits; barriers; vegetables; perceptions; adolescents.