Fruit and Vegetable Consumption of U.S. Youth, 2009–2010

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), 2010 encourage Americans, including youth, to increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables. Individuals are encouraged to “eat a variety of vegetables, especially dark-green and red and orange vegetables.” Fruits and vegetables are sources of many under-consumed nutrients and consuming fruits and vegetables is associated with a decreased risk of chronic disease.

A new NCHS report examines the percentage of youth aged 2–19 years who consumed fruits and vegetables on a given day in 2009–2010, using data from one 24-hour dietary recall interview.

Key Findings from the Report:

• More than three-quarters of youth aged 2–19 years (77.1%) consumed fruit on a given day.
• Almost 92% of youth aged 2–19 years consumed vegetables on a given day.
• Nine out of 10 children aged 2–5 years consumed fruit, while only 6 out of 10 adolescents consumed fruit on a given day.
• More children aged 2–5 years than adolescents consumed vegetables on a given day.