Fruit and veg campaign fails to make an impact
People from the most deprived areas of the UK are far less likely to eat the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables than those in the most affluent areas, according to a government survey.
The annual health survey for England published today suggested that the Department of Health's campaign to get people to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day has had little impact so far.
Overall, just one in four people eats enough fruit and vegetables to protect themself from cancer and other serious diseases.
The five-a-day campaign launched last year has been particularly targeted at deprived areas in a bid to reduce health inequalities.
But the research found that only 18% of men and 20% of women who live in the most deprived areas of the country ate the recommended amount of fruit and veg.
In contrast, 30% of men and 35% of women in the most affluent parts of the country consumed the recommended amount.
Similarly, those in high paid jobs ate considerably more fruit and veg than those on low incomes; with 29% of men and 36% of women in professional or managerial posts eating five portions a day, compared with just 18% of men and 21% of women in unskilled posts.
The survey of about 1,800 adults aged 16 and over in the UK also found that smokers and heavy drinkers ate less fruit and vegetables.
Only 9% of men who smoke heavily and 12% of women who smoke heavily ate five or more portions a day, compared with 27% of male and 32% of female non-smokers.
Of moderate drinkers, 26% of men and 29% of women at five portions, compared with 22% of men and 24% of women who are heavy drinkers.
The findings are based on interviews with over 18,000 people across England carried out by the office for national statistics.
Among young people only one in five eats the recommended five portions every day.
The survey shows that women eat more fruit and vegetables than men and are more likely to eat five portions a day.
Older people are also much more likely to follow the government's advice than younger people. One in three people aged 55-64 said they ate five portions of fruit and vegetables each day. This compares with just one in five of those aged 16-24 and just one in eight children aged 5-15.
The government wants to increase fruit and vegetable consumption as a way of cutting deaths from heart disease and cancer.
Earlier this month, the DoH set out how much fruit or vegetables constitute a single portion amid fears that many people were confused. The department will also launch a new trademark for foods that qualify as one portion.
The annual health survey for England published today suggested that the Department of Health's campaign to get people to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day has had little impact so far.
Overall, just one in four people eats enough fruit and vegetables to protect themself from cancer and other serious diseases.
The five-a-day campaign launched last year has been particularly targeted at deprived areas in a bid to reduce health inequalities.
But the research found that only 18% of men and 20% of women who live in the most deprived areas of the country ate the recommended amount of fruit and veg.
In contrast, 30% of men and 35% of women in the most affluent parts of the country consumed the recommended amount.
Similarly, those in high paid jobs ate considerably more fruit and veg than those on low incomes; with 29% of men and 36% of women in professional or managerial posts eating five portions a day, compared with just 18% of men and 21% of women in unskilled posts.
The survey of about 1,800 adults aged 16 and over in the UK also found that smokers and heavy drinkers ate less fruit and vegetables.
Only 9% of men who smoke heavily and 12% of women who smoke heavily ate five or more portions a day, compared with 27% of male and 32% of female non-smokers.
Of moderate drinkers, 26% of men and 29% of women at five portions, compared with 22% of men and 24% of women who are heavy drinkers.
The findings are based on interviews with over 18,000 people across England carried out by the office for national statistics.
Among young people only one in five eats the recommended five portions every day.
The survey shows that women eat more fruit and vegetables than men and are more likely to eat five portions a day.
Older people are also much more likely to follow the government's advice than younger people. One in three people aged 55-64 said they ate five portions of fruit and vegetables each day. This compares with just one in five of those aged 16-24 and just one in eight children aged 5-15.
The government wants to increase fruit and vegetable consumption as a way of cutting deaths from heart disease and cancer.
Earlier this month, the DoH set out how much fruit or vegetables constitute a single portion amid fears that many people were confused. The department will also launch a new trademark for foods that qualify as one portion.
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