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How many portions of fruit and vegetables are we eating? How many portions of fruit and vegetables are we eating?
(5 months later)
According to a new report, we should all be aiming for According to a new report, we should all be aiming for at least seven portions of fruit and vegetables a day. That's quite a feat when you consider many people in the UK are already struggling to get their five a day. So how much fruit and veg are we already consuming and what else did the report reveal?
at least seven portions of fruit and vegetables a day. That's quite a The study, carried out by researchers at University College London, analysed information from more than 65,000 adults aged 35 years or older, who responded to the Health Survey for England. Researchers then followed up participants for an average of 7.7 years after their initial participation.
feat when you consider many people in the UK are already struggling to get
their five a day. So how much fruit and veg are we already consuming and
what else did the report reveal?
The study, carried out by
researchers at University College London, analysed information from
more than 65,000 adults aged 35 years or older, who responded to the
Health Survey for England. Researchers then followed up participants for
an average of 7.7 years after their initial participation.
What did the study find?What did the study find?
The finding that much of the press have concentrated their focus on The finding that much of the press have concentrated their focus on is that eating at least seven portions of fresh fruit and vegetables a day was linked to a 42% lower risk of death from all causes. Although the NHS have stated that the UK media have reported the study results correctly, they do point out the following:
is that eating at least seven portions of fresh fruit and vegetables a However, they all reported figures for all causes of mortality, excluding any deaths that occurred in the first year of the study.
day was linked to a 42% lower risk of death from all causes. Although This meant that the risk of death they reported (42%) was reduced by a greater extent than when these people were included in the analysis (33%).
the NHS have stated that the UK media have reported the study results The study found that people who ate seven or more portions of fruit or vegetables a day had a 33% reduced risk of death from any cause, a 25% reduced risk of death from cancer and a 31% reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease, compared with people who ate less than one portion per day (a portion is defined as 80 grams). Researchers adjusted their analysis for sex, age, cigarette smoking, social class, Body Mass Index, education, physical activity and alcohol intake
correctly, they do point out the following: They also found that vegetables may lower risk more than fruit and that eating frozen or canned fruit was associated with an increased risk of death.
However, The five a day mantra, as the NHS explain in their Behind the Headline analysis, has always referred to the the minimum recommended level they advise. Or as they put it:
they all reported figures for all causes of mortality, excluding any When it comes to fruit and vegetables, as long as you watch your calorie and sugar intake it is very much the case of “the more the merrier”
deaths that occurred in the first year of the study.
This meant
that the risk of death they reported (42%) was reduced by a greater
extent than when these people were included in the analysis (33%).
The
study found that people who ate seven or more portions of fruit or vegetables a
day had a 33% reduced risk of death from any cause, a 25% reduced risk
of
death from cancer and a 31% reduced risk of death from cardiovascular
disease, compared with people who ate less than one portion per day (a portion is defined as 80
grams). Researchers adjusted their analysis for sex, age, cigarette smoking, social class, Body Mass Index, education, physical activity and alcohol intake
They also found that vegetables may lower risk more than fruit
and that eating frozen or canned fruit was associated with an
increased risk of death.
The five a day mantra, as the NHS explain
in their Behind the Headline analysis, has always referred to the the
minimum recommended level they advise. Or as they put it:
When
it comes to fruit and vegetables, as long as you watch your calorie and
sugar intake it is very much the case of “the more the merrier”
How much fruit and vegetables are we currently consuming?How much fruit and vegetables are we currently consuming?
According According to the Food Statistics Pocketbook 2013, published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), fruit and vegetable consumption is falling. Mona Chalabi wrote in September last year:
to the Food Statistics Pocketbook 2013, published by the Department for The average UK household now manages 4 portions per person per day, while the poorest 10% have just 2.9. Back in 2005 though, things looked different - the average person was eating 4.4 of their 5 a day, and even the poorest 10% were having 3.5.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), fruit and vegetable The chart below shows fruit and vegetable consumption for men, women and children.
consumption is falling. Mona Chalabi wrote in September last year: The National Diet and Nutrition Survey, which samples around 1,000 people aged 18 months upwards living in the UK and involves an interview, a four-day dietary diary and blood and urine samples, found that only 31% of adults aged 19 to 64 years and 37% of older adults (aged 65 years old and over) met the five a day recommendation. Those aged 19 to 64 years consumed on average 4.1 portions per day and older adults ate 4.4 portions.
The average UK household now manages 4 portions per person per day,
while the poorest 10% have just 2.9. Back in 2005 though, things looked
different - the average person was eating 4.4 of their 5 a day, and even
the poorest 10% were having 3.5.
The chart below shows fruit
and vegetable consumption for men, women and children.
The National Diet and Nutrition Survey, which samples around 1,000 people aged 18 months upwards living in the UK and involves an interview, a four-day dietary diary and blood and urine samples, found that only 31% of adults aged 19 to 64 years and 37% of older adults (aged 65 years old and over) met the five a day recommendation. Those aged 19 to 64 years consumed on average 4.1 portions per day and older adults ate 4.4 portions.
Along with providing information on the approximate fruit and veg consumption per person per day, the Food Statistics Pocketbook 2013 also looked at the change in food prices.Along with providing information on the approximate fruit and veg consumption per person per day, the Food Statistics Pocketbook 2013 also looked at the change in food prices.
The report stated that food prices had risen 12% in real terms since 2007 and highlighted a 30% increase in price for fish, fruit, The report stated that food prices had risen 12% in real terms since 2007 and highlighted a 30% increase in price for fish, fruit, vegetables, bread and meat since June 2007. They also found that in the year to June 2013, fruit and vegetable prices had recorded the biggest increases at 7.5% and 5.2% respectively.
vegetables, bread and meat since June 2007. They also found that in the
year to June 2013, fruit and vegetable prices had recorded the biggest
increases at 7.5% and 5.2% respectively.
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