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Vegies not high on Qld menu

22 Jan, 2010 03:00 AM
IF Queensland were a child, it'd be sent to bed without dessert - Queensland is not eating its vegies.

What's more, Queensland's involvement in another national health initiative which pushed for greater consumption of fresh produce has also come to an end.

A Queensland Health survey has revealed fewer than 10 percent of Queenslanders get the recommended intake of five servings of vegetables each day.

The survey was conducted during January to March 2009 throughout the 14 Queensland Health service districts each of which has a defined population base.

In total, 6881 interviews were completed. Queensland Health's Self-Reported Adult Health Status Queensland report was compiled from the survey results.

The report showed just 6.4pc of Queensland adults ate five serves of vegetables a day.

Fruit consumption was better, as 57.1pc of those surveyed said they consumed two or more serves of fruit a day.

Overall, only 7.6pc of respondents said they consumed the recommended daily servings of two fruit and five vegetables.

Queensland took up the national Go for 2&5 campaign in April 2006, urging Queenslanders to eat two servings of fruit and five servings of vegetables every day.

The last phase of the four-year project (which includes an evaluation phase), came to a close last October.

Queensland Health said the effectiveness of the campaign will be evaluated, and the results used to inform future campaigns.

At the launch of phase two of the $4.4 million campaign in August, 2006, then Health Minister Stephen Robertson quoted figures that less than 15pc of adult males and 21pc of adult females in Queensland were eating the recommended daily intake of vegetables.

He also highlighted an early campaign survey which said that of those trying to increase their intake of fruit and vegetables, 91pc reported they had been successful.

There was also a 10pc increase in those eating three or more serves of vegetables per day.

But it seems the positive start has struggled to maintain the momentum over the four years.

Growcom chief advocate Rachel Mackenzie said she was disappointed and surprised by the results given the abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables available to Sunshine State residents.

"Queensland has a wealth of fresh fruit and vegetables available to consumers at value for money prices, all year round," Ms Mackenzie said.

"Vegetables and fruit are not only nutritious but well priced when compared against the cost of convenience food, junk food or takeaway," she said.

"Including more fruit and vegetables in the diet is an easy way to feel better, and eating more fruit and veg can help in maintaining a healthy weight."

From a dairy perspective, the survey results showed Queenslanders still love their full cream milk with 43.3pc indicating they usually consumed regular whole or full cream cows' milk.

Survey respondents showed that more than a third of Queenslanders were getting a regular dose of take-away.

The survey showed 36.9pc ate meals or snacks from take-away food places at least once per week.

The report also showed that more than 55pc of the State's residents were overweight or obese.

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Date: Newest first | Oldest first
The problerm is probably not so much that most folk don't like fruit and vegetables, but the cost of them. In the super markets the price just seems to go up and up every time that most of us shop.
Posted by vegies, 25/01/2010 10:32:13 AM, on Queensland Country Life

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The fruit and vegetable Rolf Harris was the face of the final phase of the Go for 2&5 campaign, which ended in October last year.
The fruit and vegetable Rolf Harris was the face of the final phase of the Go for 2&5 campaign, which ended in October last year.
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