Fall 2003 - Volume 4
TAG, Fruits and Vegetables are IT!

• Children’s Fruit and Vegetable Intakes
• Quick, Easy Tips to 5 A Day
• Supporting Physical Activities that Promote a Healthy Lifestyle
• Downloadable Parents' Newsletter
• Give us your feeback!
• Past issues of the NuNews Newsletter

---

This section highlights the facts about children’s fruit and vegetables consumption, along with the success of USDA programs in promoting fruits and vegetables in a school environment.

• Fewer than 1 in 3 children and teens in the US consume 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
• Fruits and Vegetables for Weight Control
• Snacks in School are a Huge Success
• School Food Service Staff can Effectively Help Children Increase Intake of Fruits, Vegetables and Juice

 

Fewer that 1 in 3 children and teens in the United States consume 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day.¹

* CSFII. For both surveys, multiple day samples were used, with associated weights, to equal 1 day estimates (Table 9, p. 499S) 1 The US Dietary Guidelines recommend that all people over 2 years of age eat 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Low consumption of fruits and vegetables continues to be a concern. Recent efforts to support the national 5 A Day campaign to increase children’s intakes of fruits and vegetables at school and in the home are beginning to have a positive impact. Fruits and vegetables are natural sources of important nutrients, and may be a useful strategy for a healthy weight.

[top]

Fruits and Vegetables for Weight Control

Although the link is not direct, fruits and vegetables may impact a healthy weight through: 3,4 A lower calorie level High water and fiber content Good taste Feelings of fullnes

[top]

Snacks in Schools are a Huge Success⁵

The USDA heard success story after success story as participants in its pilot program, from 26 schools in 5 states, reported that a school environment which includes fruits and vegetables increased consumption among students.5	Other unexpected consequences included:5 Decrease in Body Mass Index (BMI) Less vending machine use Improved test scores Less absenteeism Requests for fruits and vegetables at home
	During the 2010 National Nutrition Connections Conference, Sec. of Agriculture Ann Veneman announced that the Administration is prepared to lead the effort in supporting a healthy school environment by considering financial and other incentives to schools that promote these initiatives.6
USDA has “stepped up our efforts to support the national 5 A Day campaign….Innovative approaches like this can work, and they should be the focus of our efforts because the stakes are high,” said Veneman, referring to the obesity epidemic in America.6

[top]

School Food Service Staff Can Effectively Help Children Increase Intake of Fruits, Vegetables and Juice^{7, 8}

9	The source of meals in the school environment can impact children’s lunch time intake of fruits, vegetables and juice (FVJ). Research on fifth-grade children found that7: Children who ate the National School Lunch meals consumed TWICE AS MANY FVJ servings (0.82 servings) vs. their peers, who ate only snack bar meals (0.40 servings).
Offering more food choices may also increase the acceptance of fruits and vegetables. Oregon school nutrition staff found that when they offered six or more fruit and vegetable choices, daily plate waste decreased by 36%, and students ate more fruits, vegetables and grains.8

[top]

References: Click here.