This semester, I’m taking a World Food Habits class, where we explore connections between food, environment and health (yeah, I’m basically in love). Recently, our professor asked us to read a new report from the CDC, which I found interesting enough to share with you.
The “State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables, 2009” was released in late September and is the first to provide state-by-state data about fruit & vegetable consumption in the U.S.
The Healthy People 2010 objectives, goals that were developed by federal agencies, aim for:
- At least 75% of Americans to consume 2 or more daily servings of fruit
- At least 50% of Americans to consume 3 or more daily servings of vegetables
According to the report, not one U.S. state is meeting the national objectives of fruit and vegetable consumption.
- Only 33% of American adults report eating at least 2 servings of fruit daily
- Only 27% of American adults report eating at least 3 servings of veggies daily
And high school students?
- Only 32% of high school students report eating at least 2 servings of fruit daily
- Only 13% of high school students report eating at least 3 servings of veggies daily
How’s your state doing?
State Indicator Report on Fruits & Vegetables, 2009
Percentage of U.S. adults aged ≥ 18 years who consumed fruit two or more times per day and vegetables three or more times per day, by state, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2007
[Source]
Other points of interest:
- Only 8 states have a policy for healthier food retail improvements (such as increasing the availability of healthy food in more stores and neighborhoods)
- Only 1 in 5 (21%) middle and high schools provide fruit and non-fried veggies in vending machines, school stores or snack bars.
What do you think? Are the Healthy People 2010 standards reasonable? Does this surprise you?
So embarrassed of MS…but what’s new? I’m still holding out hope that one day we will get our act together
oh man…my state is sucking (SC) but don’t worry…I eat about 10 servings of each a day….I’m going to pull our % up haha
Interesting course!
I would die to take that class! Nutrition and stats all in one class? Awesome. Sad to say the figures you quoted don’t really surprise me though, especially that the states consuming the most produce are on either coast. It’s a shame. But I guess I can also feel smug about how much produce I eat! People like you and I are obviously head and shoulders above the general population – crazy thought!
It does surprise me! Only because two servings of fruit is so low that I would think people should already be getting that. So to realize that most Americans aren’t even getting two servings of fruit a day is seriously sad.
I think the goals are totally reasonable! It’s so easy to get a measly 5 servings, even if you are on a restricted budget.
Quick Q: does that map include potatoes as a vegetable serving?
Good question! My guess is no…the report doesn’t provide details into what it qualifies as vegetables…hmmm…
I’m not too surprised that California is one of the more veggie friendly states, as we have a huge variety of local fruits and vegetables available all year round. Sadly, I think that three servings of veggies a day is a tall order for a lot of people, although any progress toward that goal is fantastic. I’m especially glad to see that the report’s proposed methods of helping the problem focus more on providing healthy foods rather than taking away or taxing unhealthy foods.
yikessssss — I’d have a hard time NOT meeting those standards… bananas, apples, carrots, tomato slices.. they’re second nature to me. Hope america gets with the program stat!
The stats are sad! It’s hard for me to believe, seeing as I find myself stuffing my face with fruit and veggies 24/7. I can’t get enough! I think that people who don’t meet the standards often weren’t raised in an environment where health was stressed as important… that in itself is sad!
Thanks for sharing
interesting study…i’m surprised by a few of those states, but not by some of the others. def makes me sad that people don’t get more fruit and vegs in their diets and hope that one day it will just be a natural thing…ya know, like it used to be? none of those junk food stuff!
Those are definitely reasonable standards!! I’m surprised at how low they are actually.
Wow, two or three servings? That sounds so low, considering the Food Pyramid guidelines. I’m somewhat surprised, though I guess Americans do eat pretty poorly.
I’m am consistently astonished at how POORLY Americans eat. I think us foodies live in this little bubble where we think everyone eats like we do. As I’m exposed more to the school system, I realize how wrong I am.
I majored in Sustainable Agriculture…and these statistics are a sad sad reality as to how far we have to come. It’s encouraging that the US government conducted these studies and is encouraging healthier eating, but really?? TWO fruits or THREE veggies?? And the majority of the population can’t even eat that??? YIKES!
That class sounds amazing!!! Sad stats though.
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