Lack of fruit and vegetable consumption among Hispanics

This week, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, in conjunction with the Healthy Americas Foundation and a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, released results of a bilingual phone survey regarding dietary habits among people in the United States.

The survey was considered nationally representative, and included dietary information from approximately 850 Americans. At the end of the survey, experts noted some significant differences between non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics and non-Hispanic blacks, especially is the realm of fruit and vegetable consumption.

SEE ALSO: The easy trick to eat more fruits and vegetables

According to a press release on the survey, Hispanics (7 percent) and non-Hispanic blacks (8 percent) are significantly less likely than non-Hispanic whites (18 percent) to report eating 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables on average each day.

Materials from Harvard School of Public Health indicate the average person in the United States typically takes in 3 servings of fruits and vegetables daily–a far cry from the advised 5 to 13 servings per day. Five servings is actually considered fairly low for the average adult. Based on the most current dietary guidelines, an individual on a 2,000 calorie-a-day diet needs to obtain a portion of those calories from nine servings, or 4½ cups per day of fruits and vegetables (2 cups of fruit and 2½ cups of vegetables).

“According to the CDC, Hispanics have the longest life expectancy, but based on this poll we are at a tipping point in Hispanic health with risks on the horizon from drinking sugary sodas, not eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day, and lack of access to health care,“ Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, said in the press release.

Delgado expressed concern regarding the survey findings, which not only noted a lack of fruit and vegetable intake for Hispanics, but also found:

• During the past 30 days, half (53 percent) of Hispanics and non-Hispanic blacks (51 percent) report drinking sugary soda daily or weekly compared to 37 percent of non-Hispanic whites.
• About one in four (27 percent) Hispanics report not having a usual place to go to when they are sick or need advice about health compared to 17 percent of non-Hispanic blacks and 7 percent of non-Hispanic whites.
• 40 percent of Hispanics report that they would be very worried about affording care if they got sick or had an accident compared to 22 percent of non-Hispanic blacks and 11 percent of non-Hispanic whites.

“We can do better as a nation in prevention. All communities need access to health insurance, affordable fruits and vegetables, and opportunities for physical activity. We need to give parents tools and support to create a healthier future for themselves and their children. It is an agenda for a Healthy America,” said Delgado.

SEE ALSO: Tired of regular fruits and vegetables? Try these alternatives

The inclusion of fruits and vegetables in a diet goes hand-in-hand with better health outcomes. Harvard indicates diets high in fruits and vegetables have been linked to low blood pressure, cancer prevention, a healthy gastrointestinal system, and healthy vision, among other things.

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