New data in the US has turned out some encouraging figures regarding fresh fruit and vegetable consumption by children under the age of 12 years old, but has also revealed less encouraging results for teenagers.
Research commissioned by the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) and conducted by NPD Foodworld Group Research found that children under the age of six increased their fruit consumption by 11 per cent from 2004-2009, while consumption for ages 6-12 improved by 7 per cent.
The vegetable trend was slightly less positive, with the 0-6 category growing consumption by 3 per cent and the 6-12 age group consuming 2 per cent more.
Teen consumption of fruit and vegetables, however, is on the decline, with a 6 per cent decrease in vegetable consumption and a 2 per cent drop in fruit consumption since 2004.
'As president and CEO of Produce for Better Health Foundation, I'm pleased to see that at least our younger children are consuming more fruits and vegetables,' said Elizabeth Pivonka. '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,' she added. '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.'
