Nine in ten older children miss five-a-day target
- Only eight per cent of 11- to 18-year-olds are eating five portions of fruit and veg
- 29% of adults aged 19 to 64 eat five portions compared to 36% of over-65s
- International Journal of Epidemiology report said 10 portions could reduce cancer and heart disease risk
Daily Mail Reporter
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More than nine in 10 older children are not eating the recommended five portions of fruit or vegetables every day, a charity has warned.
Only eight per cent of 11- to 18-year-olds are achieving the target, according to the World Cancer Research Fund.
Overall, youngsters in this age group consume 2.8 portions each.
Only eight per cent of 11- to 18-year-olds are achieving the target, according to the World Cancer Research Fund
Figures collated from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey, which assesses the diet of the general population of the UK, showed that eight per cent of boys in this age group managed their five-a-day compared with nine per cent of girls.
The charity, which has launched a new recipe website, said the figures were ‘seriously worrying’ as a diet low in fruit and vegetables could increase a person’s risk of lung, mouth, pharynx and larynx cancer in later life.
Meanwhile, only 29 per cent of adults aged 19 to 64 manage to eat five portions a day, compared with 36 per cent of over-65s.
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A recent study, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, found that consuming 10 portions of fruit and vegetables every day could significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
While eating the recommended five a day still helped reduce disease risk, the highest benefits were seen when people consumed 10 portions, researchers found.
World Cancer Research Fund says its new website, Real Recipes, provides meal tips which have been checked by qualified nutritionists and are backed by the charity’s cancer prevention evidence.
Figures collated from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey showed that eight per cent of boys in this age group managed their five-a-day compared with nine per cent of girls
Sarah Toule, head of health information at the charity, said: ‘These figures are seriously worrying, so we decided to do our bit to encourage people of all ages to fill up on healthy, homemade dishes featuring lots of fruit and veg.
‘We know from our global research that eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight are two major steps you can take to reduce your risk of cancer.
‘The younger these healthy habits are developed, the easier they are to maintain into adulthood.
‘Real Recipes is a site where you can trust all the recipes to be healthy, as well as helping reduce your risk of cancer.’
To find out more visit: www.wcrf-uk.org/realrecipes
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