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(NaturalNews) Less than 10 percent of high school students
in the United States meet the federally recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables,
according to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
"A diet high in fruits and vegetables is important for optimal child growth,
maintaining a healthy weight, and prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart
disease and some cancers, " said William H. Dietz, director of the Nutrition,
Physical Activity, and Obesity Division of the CDC. "This report will help states
determine what is taking place in their communities and schools and come up with ways to
encourage people to eat more fruits and vegetables."
In 2007, the CDC surveyed both adults and high school students on their daily
consumption of fruits or vegetables.
Even though they are considered less healthy than whole fruits, fruit juices were counted toward
daily fruit intake goals.
Even so, only 32 percent of the 100,000 students
surveyed said they ate at least two servings of fruit per day, while only 13 percent
consumed at least three daily servings of vegetables. Less than 10 percent ate enough of
both.
The numbers among adults were similar
for fruit consumption, and only slightly better for vegetables. Thirty-three percent of
adults consumed at least two servings of fruits per day, while 27 percent consumed at
least three servings of vegetables.
Details of the results varied by state, with Arkansas and North Carolina scoring
significantly below the average and Vermont and other New England states scoring
significantly above it. The researchers found that states with more farmers markets per
capita than the national average tended to have higher rates of fruit and vegetable
consumption. Schools in states scoring above average were also more likely to make fresh
fruit available on campus.
The study calls attention to how far the government is from achieving its goal of getting
75 percent of people to consume two daily fruit servings and 50 percent to consume three
daily vegetable servings by 2010.
"This is a call for states, communities, schools, and families to support increased
fruit and vegetable consumption,'' researcher Heidi Blanck said. (David Gutierrez, staff
writer) http://www.naturalnews.com/z028293_high_school_nutrition.html
Sources for this story include: www.boston.com;
www.cdc.gov.
Knowledge is the key to good health.
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