Table 1

Descriptive characteristics (%) of the children participating in the cross sectional study and in the follow up study by citrus/kiwi fruit consumption (Italy, 1995–1996)

VariableCross sectional studyFollow up study
<1/week (2706)1–2/week (4537)3–4/week (6485)5–7/week (4707)Total
(n=18 737)
<1/week (530)1–2/week (982)3–4/week (1469)5–7/week (1040)Total (n=4104)
Male sex56.151.049.752.151.652.349.750.852.751.2
Area of residence
 Metropolitan43.647.548.552.048.472.871.472.979.474.2
 Urban19.119.119.518.319.1
 Rural/urban37.233.432.029.732.527.228.627.120.625.8
Father's education
 Primary school14.913.311.510.312.213.010.39.58.910.0
 Middle school41.240.138.734.138.237.739.038.131.536.7
 High school31.031.432.933.532.236.835.436.036.435.8
 University10.012.513.819.514.39.812.914.020.514.7
Maternal smoking
 Never42.244.545.446.444.937.744.641.743.642.4
 Ex-smoker18.318.419.119.418.816.017.118.518.717.8
 Current smoker36.934.433.131.933.643.835.136.734.936.7
Paternal smoking
 Never28.028.128.630.128.725.128.727.227.927.5
 Ex-smoker22.423.023.824.123.321.324.122.322.822.7
 Current smoker45.545.243.742.444.050.844.146.145.846.0
Dampness or mould in
the bedroom
8.17.86.36.36.95.14.34.44.34.5
Parental asthma15.413.514.915.214.718.0315.0417.0217.0016.08
Child ever had asthma10.68.28.38.48.612.89.39.710.510.2
Child uses extra table salt5.34.33.94.54.32.62.11.82.82.3
  • The totals in the individual columns do not add up to the final totals because of missing values.