Vegetable, Fruit Consumption On The Rise In Young Children

By Growing Produce Staff|September 30, 2010

New data shows children under the age of 12 have been eating more fruits and vegetables since 2004. Children under the age of 6 increased their fruit consumption by 11% from 2004 through 2009, while consumption for ages 6 to 12 increased by 7%.

The vegetable trend was slightly less positive, but still an improvement, with children under the age of six consuming 3% more vegetables over the last five years and 6 to 12 year olds consuming 2% more. Teen consumption of fruit and vegetables is on the decline, however, with a 6% decrease in vegetable consumption and a 2% decrease in fruit consumption since 2004.

Additional data from this study regarding the fruit and vegetable consumption of adults was generally consistent with findings the CDC study published in the September 10 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly which indicated that last year’s adult fruit consumption was down slightly and that vegetable consumption was about the same as reported in 2000.

“As president and CEO of Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH), I’m pleased to see that at least our younger children are consuming more fruits and vegetables,” said Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., R.D. “However, the decrease in fruit and vegetable consumption as children move into their teen years is troublesome. Is it because fruits and vegetables aren’t available at school, or because it isn’t ‘cool’ to eat them anymore, thanks to extensive marketing of less nutritious foods, or a combination of these factors and others? Regardless, we still have a long way to go to get consumption up to recommended levels. We applaud the efforts of parents and policy makers that have helped increase consumption among younger children; we simply encourage them to do more of it.”

To learn more, visit www.pbhfoundation.org and www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org.