NYP - Nov. 17, 2017
Despite being endlessly prodded to eat their fruits and veggies, just 1 in 10 American adults get enough of them in their daily diet, according to a new study.
Only 12 percent of Americans eat the minimum amount of fruit recommended — a cup and a half to two cups a day, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found.
And even fewer — about 9 percent — get the two to three cups of vegetables a day that are recommended, according to the CDC study, which was released Thursday.
“This report highlights that very few Americans eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables every day, putting them at risk for chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease,” said Seung Hee Lee Kwan of the CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity.
“As a result, we’re missing out on the essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that fruits and vegetables provide,” the study’s lead author said.
For the study, the CDC researchers used state-level data from a 2015 government survey of a nationally representative sample of 319,415 adults.
Participants were asked how many times in the previous month they had consumed 100 percent fruit juice, whole fruit, dried beans, dark green and orange vegetables, and other veggies.
People who eat just five servings of fruits and vegetables a day lower their risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other conditions.
“Consuming enough fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet reduces the risk of many chronic diseases, includ*ing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and obesity,” the CDC team reported.
To increase access to fruits and vegetables, the CDC identified several strategies, including:
Starting or expanding farm-to-institution programs in child care, schools, hospitals, workplaces and other institutions.
Improving access to retail stores and markets that sell high-quality fruits and vegetables.
Ensuring access to fruits and vegetable in cafeterias and other food service venues in worksites, hospitals and universities.
Despite being endlessly prodded to eat their fruits and veggies, just 1 in 10 American adults get enough of them in their daily diet, according to a new study.
Only 12 percent of Americans eat the minimum amount of fruit recommended — a cup and a half to two cups a day, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found.
And even fewer — about 9 percent — get the two to three cups of vegetables a day that are recommended, according to the CDC study, which was released Thursday.
“This report highlights that very few Americans eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables every day, putting them at risk for chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease,” said Seung Hee Lee Kwan of the CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity.
“As a result, we’re missing out on the essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that fruits and vegetables provide,” the study’s lead author said.
For the study, the CDC researchers used state-level data from a 2015 government survey of a nationally representative sample of 319,415 adults.
Participants were asked how many times in the previous month they had consumed 100 percent fruit juice, whole fruit, dried beans, dark green and orange vegetables, and other veggies.
People who eat just five servings of fruits and vegetables a day lower their risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other conditions.
“Consuming enough fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet reduces the risk of many chronic diseases, includ*ing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and obesity,” the CDC team reported.
To increase access to fruits and vegetables, the CDC identified several strategies, including:
Starting or expanding farm-to-institution programs in child care, schools, hospitals, workplaces and other institutions.
Improving access to retail stores and markets that sell high-quality fruits and vegetables.
Ensuring access to fruits and vegetable in cafeterias and other food service venues in worksites, hospitals and universities.