Americans not eating their fruits and vegetables
Most Americans still don't eat their vegetables, while fruit consumption is actually dropping, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released Thursday. The statistics come from a national telephone survey of Americans.
The CDC found that last year about 33 percent of U.S. adults consumed fruit or fruit juice at least twice a day, down slightly from 34 percent in 2000. About 26 percent ate vegetables three or more times a day, the same as in 2000.
The report found that no state met federal goals of three-quarters of Americans eating enough fruit, and half eating enough vegetables. Tennessee was best with vegetables, while California was the best with fruit. South Dakota and Oklahoma were the worst with veggies and fruit respectively.
This report did not enquire as to what types of fruits and vegetables people ate, just the amount. But, a CDC study published last year concluded that orange juice is the top source of fruit and potatoes were the favorite vegetable.
The 2009 data are discouraging, said Dr. Jennifer Foltz, one of the study's authors.
An updated survey is planned in 2011, and health advocates hope some change will be seen after so much government effort to improve health and wellness have been made.
