Scientific evidence fails to boost fruit and veg intake

Some Californians are eating even less fruit and vegetables than they did more than a decade ago, according to new data released by the California Department of Health Services (CDHS).

Results of the California Dietary Practices Surveys, revealed in Sacramento in conjunction with National 5 A Day Week (22-25 September), also reveal barriers that prevent Californians from eating the five to nine daily servings of fruits and vegetables needed for good health and to help reduce the risks of chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and obesity.

The surveys show that from 1989 to 1999, while research revealed the added health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, the differences in daily fruit and vegetable consumption among racial/ethnic, income and educational groups widened.

While overall fruit and vegetable consumption did not change over this period, consumption decreased for certain groups. In 1989, African-Americans consumed 4.0 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, dropping to 3.2 servings in 1999. In 1989, lower-educated Californians consumed 3.9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, dropping to 3.1 servings in 1999.

For data specific to 1999, there were significant gaps associated with education. Lower-educated Californians reported eating 3.1 servings of fruits and vegetables, compared to 4.5 servings for higher-educated Californians. The lowest income Californians consistently reported eating fewer servings of fruits and vegetables (3.4 servings) than those with annual incomes greater than $50,000 (4.5 servings).And in 1999, Latinos and Asian/Pacific Islanders reported eating 3.7 servings a day. Caucasians reporting eating 3.9 servings a day.

Californians also cited factors in their environment as the main reasons they did not eat more fruits and vegetables. The most common reasons given were that fruits and vegetables are hard to purchase in fast food restaurants (88 per cent), hard to find at work (62 per cent), difficult to buy in other restaurants (35 per cent) and too expensive (27 per cent).

As a result of these survey findings, CDHS and the California Restaurant Association (CRA) has announced a new partnership to address some of the barriers that prevent Californians from eating healthily.

The California Dietary Practices Surveys is conducted by CDHS and partially funded by The California Endowment, the USDA Food Stamp Program and the California Nutrition Network for Healthy, Active Families. In 1999, 1,492 adults aged 18 years and older were selected by random digit dialling techniques. Respondents provided a 24-hour fruit and vegetable dietary recall and answered a wide variety of questions, including those about other foods, out-of-home eating, physical activity, height and weight.

The survey has been conducted every other year since 1989. Results from 1989 to 1999 were compiled, analysed and released in the current report. The results of the surveys will be used to enhance health education and public awareness programs throughout the state, including programmes specifically designed for African-Americans and Latinos. The findings will also be used to develop a new statewide nutritional media campaign to be launched in 2003.