PLEASE NOTE EMBARGO - Not for publication or broadcast before 0001
hours Monday 3 Sep 2007 The number of children achieving their 5 A
DAY target has increased by 13% in 2 years according to a report
out today by the Department of Health. The Further Evaluation of
The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, launched in the week when
millions of children are about to begin a new school year, shows
that the scheme is working and could contribute to a reduction of
heart disease, stroke and cancer...Request free trial
PLEASE NOTE
EMBARGO - Not for publication or broadcast before 0001 hours Monday
3 Sep 2007
The number of children achieving
their 5 A DAY target has increased by 13% in 2 years according to a
report out today by the Department of Health.
The Further Evaluation of The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme,
launched in the week when millions of children are about to begin a
new school year, shows that the scheme is working and could
contribute to a reduction of heart disease, stroke and cancer later
in life.
Figures show that the number of children achieving 5 A DAY has
increased from 27% in March 2004 to 44% in November 2006 and the
number of portions consumed has also increased to a point where on
average 50% of children in the scheme are close to achieving their
5 A DAY target.
Overall there has been significant increases in the consumption of
fruit and vegetables since the last evaluation carried out 2 years
ago, and from the baseline measured in March 2004 before the Scheme
was introduced into the schools included in this study.
It appears that the most significant factor in the increase in
fruit and vegetables consumed between November 2004 and November
2006 are improvements to school meals.
Health Minister, said:
"Children eating more fruit and vegetables each day and reaching
their 5 A DAY is excellent news.
"The SFVS is important in underpinning the Government's commitment
to healthy eating in schools. It provides an opportunity for
children to try out new foods particularly vegetables, and for them
to become accustomed to eating them as part of their daily
diet.
"Several surveys now point to a significant rise in fruit and
vegetable consumption across all sectors of the population linked
to increased awareness of eating 5 A DAY and the importance of a
healthy diet.
"We now need to look at the potential for exploiting the
opportunities provided by the Scheme to support healthy eating
initiatives in schools and engage school communities in the wider
strategy to tackle obesity and ensure that when children leave the
scheme they continue to eat their 5 A DAY."
The report is good news for the School Food Trust. The evidence is
that improvements to school meals means children are in practice
being given more opportunities to eat vegetables. Children eating
school meals are more likely to achieve their 5 A DAY than those
bringing packed lunches. Those eating school dinners also eat less
snacks than children who bring packed lunches.
Beverly Hughes, Minister for Children, Young People and
Families,
said:
"If we are to tackle obesity and get children interested in fruit
and vegetables we have to start young. That is why this scheme is
so important. I'm pleased to see that school meals are having an
impact on diet and new tougher regulations coming in this week will
mean that young people can no longer buy fizzy drinks, chocolate
bars and crisps in tuck shops or vending machines in schools. Junk
food is now off the menu throughout the school day."
Judy Hargadon, Chief Executive, School Food Trust said:
"We are delighted that the efforts to increase the number of
children eating 5 A Day are working so well. This demonstrates that
a coordinated and consistent approach to improving children's
health across the school day is resulting in more children getting
a balanced and varied diet."
Notes to editors
1. For media enquiries only contact the Press Office on tel: 020
7210
5221
2. A copy of the report is available at:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Healthandsocialcaretopics/FiveADay/FiveADaygeneralinformation
3. This study was done in North East region looking at 37 schools
in SFVS.
4. Eating at least five portions of a variety of fruit and
vegetables a day could lead to an estimated reduction of up to 20
per cent in overall deaths from chronic diseases, such as heart
disease, stroke and cancer
5. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Committee on Medical
Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA) (1994) recommend that
people should eat at least 400g (around five portions) of fruit and
vegetables every day.
6. The FSA Consumer Attitudes Survey 2006 showed that 72% of people
are now aware that they should eat at least five portions of fruit
and vegetables a day, up from 43% in 2000.
