Fruit and vegetable intakes of Australians aged 2-18 years: an evaluation of the 1995 National Nutrition Survey data

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the fruit and vegetable intakes of 2 to 18-year-old Australians.

Methods: Intake data were collected as part of the National Nutrition Survey 1995 representing all Australian States and Territories, urban, rural and remote areas. Dietary intake of 3,007, two to 18-year-olds was assessed using a 24-hour structured diet recall method. Intake frequency was assessed as the percentage of participants consuming fruit and vegetables on the surveyed day, and variety was assessed as the number of sub-groups of fruit and vegetables eaten. Intake levels were compared with the recommendations of the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, the 1993 Goals and Targets for Australia's Health in 2000 and beyond, and intakes of the 1985 National Dietary Survey.

Results: One-quarter of children and adolescents did not eat fruit on the day of survey and one fifth did not eat vegetables. Adolescents were less likely to include fruit (65%) than young children (80%) but slightly more adolescents (85%) included vegetables than young children (77%). Less than 50% of all participants (<25% of adolescents) had an adequate fruit intake, and only one-third of children and adolescents met the vegetable intake recommendations.

Conclusions: Fruit and vegetable intakes of Australian children and adolescents fall well below recommendations and appear to have declined in the past 10 years.

Implications: Strategic approaches involving a broad range of sectors are urgently needed to create a supportive environment for consuming recommended levels of a wide variety of fruit and vegetables.