Study: Americans Don’t Eat Enough Fruit and Vegetables

In its July 10 edition of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that 76 percent of adults did not meet recommendations for fruit consumption and 87 percent did not meet intake recommendations for vegetables. Because eating fruit and vegetables has a positive impact on health and is low nationwide, the CDC calls for greater attempts to increase overall intake. “Improving fruit and vegetable consumption for adults might start with improving intake during childhood,” the report stated. “Improving fruit and vegetable accessibility, placement, and promotion in grocery stores, restaurants, worksites, and other community settings might improve intake in adults.” There was also considerable variation by state. Only 7.5 percent of people in Tennessee ate enough fruit, and 5.5 percent of citizens in Mississippi ate enough vegetables. Californians ate the most fruit and veggies, with 17.7 percent and 13 percent respectively.