Kids Eating More Fruits, Vegetables. Teens Aren’t.

The Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) released results of new research on fruit and vegetable consumption among children and teens. The data shows that, overall, fruit and vegetable consumption is up for kids under age 12, while teen fruit and vegetable consumption is declining.

Specifically, the research, conducted by NPD Group, showed that children under the age of 6 increased their fruit consumption by 11 percent from 2004 through 2009, while consumption for ages 6 to 12 increased by 7 percent. Children under age six consumed 3 percent more vegetables over the last 5 years, and 6 to 12 year olds consumed 2 percent more. Conversely, teen vegetable consumption decreased 6 percent, and fruit consumption decreased 2 percent.

"As president and CEO of Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH), I'm pleased to see that at least our younger children are consuming more fruits and vegetables," said Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., R.D. "However, the decrease in fruit and vegetable consumption as children move into their teen years is troublesome. Is it because fruits and vegetables aren't available at school, or because it isn't 'cool' to eat them anymore, thanks to extensive marketing of less nutritious foods, or a combination of these factors and others? Regardless, we still have a long way to go to get consumption up to recommended levels. We applaud the efforts of parents and policy makers that have helped increase consumption among younger children; we simply encourage them to do more of it."