Reported food consumption and dietary habits of New Zealand adolescents

Six hundred and sixty-seven fifteen year old members of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development study cohort completed a self-administered food frequency and dietary habits inventory. The results show that only 14 foods were consumed on a regular basis by more than 80% of the cohort. Statistically significant differences were found between the numbers of boys and girls consuming a variety of foods; generally, more girls consumed fruits and green vegetables and more boys consumed foods rich in fat and sugar. Several differences were observed in the food consumption of three income groups: fewer adolescents in low income families consumed expensive foods such as steak. The implications of these food consumption findings and their associated gender and income differences for nutrition promotion and food policy are discussed.