Development of inequalities in fruit and vegetable intake through early adulthood: insights from household panel surveys in the United Kingdom and Australia

Abstract Background Adequate fruit and vegetable intake is important for preventing chronic disease. The transition from adolescence to early adulthood involves changes in their social and environmental context, lifestyle and behaviours that may determine lifelong dietary patterns. Differences that emerge between populations over this age range may lead to long-term health inequalities. This study examined the trajectories of fruit and vegetable intake among young adults in the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia. Methods We analysed data from young adults aged 16–30 years from the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS; n = 2751) and the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey (HILDA; n = 6255). Hybrid mixed-effect regression models were fitted to assess intake trajectories of fruit and vegetables, exploring differences by sex and socioeconomic position. Results Fruit intake decreased and vegetable intake increased with age in both countries. Fruit intake trajectories differed by sex in both cohorts, while vegetable intake trajectories differed by sex in Australia only. Parental education was a predictor of fruit and vegetable intake trajectories in both cohorts, with differences between groups with high and low parental education narrowing with age in Australia for fruit intake. Conclusions The differing trajectories emphasise the importance of understanding contextual influences to effectively tailor public health strategies. Our study highlights early adulthood as a critical period for developing dietary patterns that could influence long-term health outcomes, with differences between groups emerging quickly. Addressing these inequalities is essential when developing policies aimed at improving diet among young adults and reducing the prevalence of chronic disease.