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Minnesota Department of Health News ReleaseSeptember 14, 2006 Many Minnesotans do not eat recommended
amounts of fruits and vegetables Eating fruits and vegetables is essential to good health. The nutrients they provide contribute to the health of all the organs of the body and help prevent cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. However, many Minnesotans still do not eat recommended amounts. In fact, only 24 percent of Minnesota adults and less than 20 percent of school-age children eat more than five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. “It’s important to know what you and your family need for good health,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dianne Mandernach. “It’s easy to add fruits and vegetables to the foods you eat now—like soup, salads, pasta, cereal and pizza. Fruits and vegetables are delicious as snacks, and they won’t load you with a lot of calories, fat, salt or added sugar.” Many Minnesotans are not eating the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables because they are not aware of how many fruits and vegetables they should eat each day and what constitutes a serving. The Minnesota 5 to 9 A Day Coalition is working to change this. They are extending Minnesota’s celebration of 5 A Day Month for 2006 beyond September in order to raise greater awareness about the health benefits of fruits and vegetables. Grocery stores and farmers’ markets throughout Minnesota will provide educational materials to their customers in September and beyond. The Minnesota 5 to 9 A Day Coalition will partner with the Three Rivers Park District during their Autumn Woods Classic Race to hold a 5 A Day 5 K on October 7 in Elm Creek Park Reserve in Hennepin County. A certified 10K and 5K run/walk will be held that day, along with a kids’ fun run, family activities, entertainment and health exhibits. Participants are urged to help create the world’s largest fruit and vegetable basket by bringing non-perishable fruit and vegetable items for the Emergency Foodshelf Network. Many people in Minnesota have diseases and conditions that have been linked to poor diet and physical inactivity. Sixteen percent of people report they have little or no leisure time physical activity. Over 35 percent of Minnesotans are overweight and over 22 percent are obese. Eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables can help Minnesotans lower the burden of these conditions. National 5 A Day Month is the perfect time of year for the whole family to take the steps necessary to improve their health by incorporating the correct amount of fruits and vegetables into a healthy eating plan. For more information, visit http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/hpcd/chp/nutrition and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site at http://www.5aday.gov/. -MDH- For more information, contact: John Stieger Fran Doring | Return to top | MDH Home | News Releases |
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