A qualitative exploration of barriers and facilitators to fruit and vegetable consumption among Uruguayan adults using the Social Ecological Model

Leandro Machín¹Alejandra Girona¹Silvina Salgado²Cecilia Marrero¹Ana Giménez¹María Rosa Curutchet¹Gaston Ares^3*

• ¹Universidad de la Republica Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay
• ²Universidad Tecnologica del Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay
• ³Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay

Introduction: Fruit and vegetable consumption remains below public health recommendations worldwide. This study aimed to explore perceived barriers and facilitators to fruit and vegetable consumption among adults living in urban areas outside the capital city of Uruguay, and to identify strategies to promote intake. Methods: The study relied on a generic qualitative study using focus group discussions. Five focus groups were conducted between October 2024 and April 2025 in three cities in Uruguay (Atlántida, Paysandú, and Tacuarembó), involving 50 adults aged 18 to 77 years, diverse in sociodemographic backgrounds. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, combining inductive identification of emergent categories from the interview transcripts with deductive coding based on the levels of influence of the Social Ecological Model. Results: Although participants widely recognized the health benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption, most reported inadequate intake and described challenges in sustaining regular consumption. Barriers emerged across multiple levels of influence, including individual (e.g., taste preferences, lack of motivation, limited cooking skills), interpersonal (e.g., household composition and income), and the food environment (e.g., high prices, limited variety). Participants proposed a range of strategies to promote fruit and intake, primarily emphasizing nutrition education and social marketing, but also suggesting interventions to enhance convenience, reduce costs, and improve access. Conclusions: Findings underscore the need for multilevel interventions that move beyond individual-focused strategies to address broader environmental and structural determinants of dietary behavior. Adopting a food systems-oriented approach to fruit and vegetable promotion may enhance the relevance and effectiveness of public health initiatives.