Given age and gender, economics also plays a significant role. As with any food, fruits compete not only for a share of the stomach, but also for a share of the budget. Taking into account family size, this analysis confirms that the overall probability of eating within the guidelines is highest amongst members of families in the upper income group. Thus, affordability for individuals and families is clearly an important issue. Consequently, given that food expenditure is limited and meeting caloric intake requirements is the prime physiological consideration, in the case of large, low income families, fruits may not be priority.
Location also matters.
For instance, residents of the Northeast are the most likely to consume the recommended fruit servings followed by residents of the West, Midwest and the South. A significant difference was not found between the Northeast and the West coast. That regional differences exist is not surprising. Location is tied to cultural and lifestyle influences and is well known that traditional cuisines of the Midwest and the South are arguably higher in protein and fat and low in fruit and vegetables. Differences in fruit consumption also exist between urban and rural areas.