HHS HealthBeat (May 09, 2007)

Fruits, vegetables, exercise? Who, me?

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

We know we should eat our fruits and vegetables and be physically active. But how are we doing? A federal researcher decided to find out.  Judy Kruger of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at these practices in a national survey.

She found less than 15 percent of adults reported eating five or more servings per day and getting regular exercise.

``Few adults engage in the combined behaviors of consuming fruits and vegetables frequently and engaging in regular physical activity, and are missing an opportunity to reduce their risk for chronic disease.’’ (11 seconds)

Want to combine fruits, veggies and being active? Well, farmers markets are open during the warm weather. And a stroll to the shopping could handle that day’s 30 minutes of moderate activity, although people should be active most days of the week.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

Last revised: May, 09 2007