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