2009 Georgia data summary: healthy eating [2009]

2009 Georgia Data Summary:
HEALTHY EATING
Diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of some types of cancer and heart disease.

Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Georgia

Recommended fruit and vegetable consumption
Only 1 in 5 (19%) high school students* and 1 in 4 (25%) adults consume the minimum recommendation of 5 or more servings of fruit and vegetables per day
26% of adults report eating less than one serving of vegetables a day and 38% of adults report eating less than one serving of fruit a day
Among adults, those with higher levels of education are more likely to eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day

Percen t

Percent of youth and adults who consume 5

or more servings of fruit and vegetables per

day, Georgia, 2007

100

80

60

40 19

25

16 19 26 31

20

0

Hig h

Adults

<H igh H igh Some College

Sch oo l

O verall

School School College Gra d

Stu d ents

Adults

The percent of high school students and adults who consume the minimum recommended servings of fruits and vegetables are consistently low across all sex, race, ethnic, and age groups

Policies and Environments Influence Healthy Eating Behaviors
Schools Few middle schools (12%) and high schools (10%) have a policy to offer fruits and vegetables in school settings

Few middle schools (<35%) and high schools (<33%) have nutrition standards for foods sold as a la carte items in the cafeteria or in vending machines, snack bars, fundraisers, class parties, and athletic events

Less nutritious snack foods and beverages such as chocolate candy, high-fat salty snacks, and soft drinks are readily available in many middle school (39%-63%) and high school (75%-89%) vending machines
Worksites Only 30% of worksites offer healthy eating classes, weight management classes, or weight management counseling
for employees
Health care# Most Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) in Georgia provide members with nutrition education, counseling,
discounts, or fee reductions to join nutrition programs

Only two HMOs in Georgia have a policy to reimburse providers and paid members for nutrition assessments and counseling from specialists

Healthy Eating Helps Promote Good Health

Diets rich in fruits and vegetables help reduce risk for:

- Heart disease

- Some types of cancer

- Stroke

- Excess weight gain

Data sources: * 2007 Georgia Student Health Survey 2006 School Health Profiles Survey # 2004 Georgia Health Plan Survey

2007 Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2008 Georgia Worksite Survey

Georgia Department of Community Health, Division of Public Health 2 Peachtree Street, NW Atlanta, GA 30303 (404) 657-3103 gdphinfo@dhr.state.ga.us http://health.state.ga.us