Are You Getting Your Fruits and Veggies?
I read with interest an article from CDC researchers who concludes that Americans don't eat enough fruits and vegetables. The authors pointed out that unless we find a way to incorporate more of them into our diets, we won't meet the goals set for us by the US Government's "Healthy People 2010."
According to government nutritionists we're supposed to eat fruits two or more times per day, and vegetables three or more times per day. Only about 1/3 of us eat that much fruit and slightly more of us eat the number of vegetables that we should. The results of this CDC study were published in a March edition of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. "U.S. adults have a way to go if they are to achieve the 'Healthy People 2010' goals," wrote Heidi M. Blanck, Ph.D. and colleagues of the CDC.
These goals include increasing to 75% the percentage of persons two years or older who eat at least two daily servings of fruit, and to 50% the number who eat at least three daily servings of vegetables. At least 1/3 of those vegetable servings are supposed to be dark or orange colored ones.
The data collection took place among 305,504 people from all 50 states and Washington, DC, during the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance. At the time of the data collection approximately 32.6% of the U.S. adult population surveyed consumed fruit two or more times a day and 27.2% ate vegetables three or more times a day. One finding that I thought interesting was that fruit consumption was higher among men (36%) that women (29%). I expected women to do a better job!
People over 65 years of age were better fruit eaters (46%) than people in the 35-44 year old age group (28%). Individuals with a college education ate more fruit (37%), as did those who earn $50,000 a year or more. Considering the current cost of fruit that's no surprise! Nor does it surprise me that people who were not overweight ate fruit twice a day (36%), and only 28% of those are obese (BMI over 30) ate fruit that often. Although the actual numbers were different, the overall trends were the same regarding the consumption of vegetables.
In expanding on their findings, MMWR editors wrote that to meet the 2010 objectives, a more continuous and effective public health program is needed, including the identification of barriers to individuals eating more fruits and vegetables, and changes such as increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables available in vending machines and school lunches.
They also recommend improving on advertising that promotes eating healthy, real food, rather than convenience foods. They point out that there have been successful educational programs that include school-based interventions, programs for preschoolers, and church programs serving the African-American community. They also point to CDC programs that provide nutritional education and access to fruits and vegetables through community gardens, farmers markets, and restaurants. The writers conclude that "nutritional interventions should go beyond increasing individual awareness," and should "target the family, local community, and overall society to eliminate barriers to healthy eating."
Sounds good doesn't it? Except as I see it there's just one small problem. No one cooks any more. When I talk to my patients about what they eat, it's frequently fast food, or "prepared" foods from the market. They don't know what I mean when I say they need to eat "real" food. My town has two places that will create a whole meal to go for one or a whole family; one only need to call in the morning and order it to be picked up on the way home, or pop in for instant gratification on their drive.
I feel blessed; my mom cooked in a healthy manner, with more vegetables and less meat, and more vegetarian options before it was cool to do so. Every summer we had a garden, and we ate from it through the winter, because she canned and froze things.
I too have a garden now, and I am sharing my love of vegetable gardening with my neighbors. Several other families on my street have garden space of their own on my property this year, and it has been a joy to watch individuals from ages 5 to nearly 80 work to develop their plots, plant seeds and vegetable plants, and drop off their household compost.
Today the 5 year old twins were instructed by their older sister on what is needed for plants to grow ("water, sunshine, and food"). They all looked to me for an how to answer the question, "how do we feed the garden?" We turned the compost together and talked about how the "big, fat, juicy worms," helped us to make the food the plants needed.
We're just starting to harvest squash, and we've had herbs, lettuces, and radishes for weeks. The cucumbers are nearly ready, as are the tomatoes and peppers. We even planted a "row for the hungry," a row of zucchini to be donated to the local food bank. When our harvest really gets going I plan to fire up the grill and have a cook out, so we can share our bounty with those who helped us to till the soil, but decided not to plant this year. We'll have them on board next year after that feast, I guarantee it!
All the plans of the CDC and our Nation are grand, but to me, it's this kind of grass roots effort that will change how future generations eat, one person at a time.
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: diet, nutrition, garden
Staff Photo
These goals include increasing to 75% the percentage of persons two years or older who eat at least two daily servings of fruit, and to 50% the number who eat at least three daily servings of vegetables. At least 1/3 of those vegetable servings are supposed to be dark or orange colored ones.
The data collection took place among 305,504 people from all 50 states and Washington, DC, during the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance. At the time of the data collection approximately 32.6% of the U.S. adult population surveyed consumed fruit two or more times a day and 27.2% ate vegetables three or more times a day. One finding that I thought interesting was that fruit consumption was higher among men (36%) that women (29%). I expected women to do a better job!
People over 65 years of age were better fruit eaters (46%) than people in the 35-44 year old age group (28%). Individuals with a college education ate more fruit (37%), as did those who earn $50,000 a year or more. Considering the current cost of fruit that's no surprise! Nor does it surprise me that people who were not overweight ate fruit twice a day (36%), and only 28% of those are obese (BMI over 30) ate fruit that often. Although the actual numbers were different, the overall trends were the same regarding the consumption of vegetables.
In expanding on their findings, MMWR editors wrote that to meet the 2010 objectives, a more continuous and effective public health program is needed, including the identification of barriers to individuals eating more fruits and vegetables, and changes such as increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables available in vending machines and school lunches.
They also recommend improving on advertising that promotes eating healthy, real food, rather than convenience foods. They point out that there have been successful educational programs that include school-based interventions, programs for preschoolers, and church programs serving the African-American community. They also point to CDC programs that provide nutritional education and access to fruits and vegetables through community gardens, farmers markets, and restaurants. The writers conclude that "nutritional interventions should go beyond increasing individual awareness," and should "target the family, local community, and overall society to eliminate barriers to healthy eating."
Sounds good doesn't it? Except as I see it there's just one small problem. No one cooks any more. When I talk to my patients about what they eat, it's frequently fast food, or "prepared" foods from the market. They don't know what I mean when I say they need to eat "real" food. My town has two places that will create a whole meal to go for one or a whole family; one only need to call in the morning and order it to be picked up on the way home, or pop in for instant gratification on their drive.
I feel blessed; my mom cooked in a healthy manner, with more vegetables and less meat, and more vegetarian options before it was cool to do so. Every summer we had a garden, and we ate from it through the winter, because she canned and froze things.
Photo Credit: Laurie Anderson
Today the 5 year old twins were instructed by their older sister on what is needed for plants to grow ("water, sunshine, and food"). They all looked to me for an how to answer the question, "how do we feed the garden?" We turned the compost together and talked about how the "big, fat, juicy worms," helped us to make the food the plants needed.
We're just starting to harvest squash, and we've had herbs, lettuces, and radishes for weeks. The cucumbers are nearly ready, as are the tomatoes and peppers. We even planted a "row for the hungry," a row of zucchini to be donated to the local food bank. When our harvest really gets going I plan to fire up the grill and have a cook out, so we can share our bounty with those who helped us to till the soil, but decided not to plant this year. We'll have them on board next year after that feast, I guarantee it!
All the plans of the CDC and our Nation are grand, but to me, it's this kind of grass roots effort that will change how future generations eat, one person at a time.
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: diet, nutrition, garden
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