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Health Officials Urge Hoosiers To Eat Diets High In Fruits, Vegetables To Help Reduce Risk Of Disease

Last updated on Wednesday, September 7, 2016

(INDIANAPOLIS) - September is Fruits & Veggies - More Matters month. In an effort to promote healthy eating habits, the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) reminds Hoosiers that eating fruits and vegetables may help reduce the risk of many diseases, including high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that adults eat 2 cups of fruits and 2.5 cups of vegetables each day as part of a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet. However, studies show that among Indiana adults, 43 percent eat fruit and 27 percent eat vegetables only a few times each week.

"We know that a diet high in fruits and vegetables is essential for healthy child development, weight management and the prevention of chronic disease," said State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H. "Adopting good eating habits can go a long way toward creating healthier families and a healthier state."

Heart disease and cancer are the top two leading causes of death among Hoosiers, while diabetes is 7th. Indiana has the 13th-highest death rate from cardiovascular disease in the nation. Teaching children to eat healthy food from an early age can help improve those statistics.

"As a parent, I know it isn't always easy to get kids to eat fruits and vegetables," Dr. Adams said. "However, if we can get them to embrace healthy eating behaviors early, there's a better chance we can reduce the number of Indiana residents who die from preventable diseases."

Visit https://www.choosemyplate.gov/ for healthy tips that can help children eat better. For important health and safety information, visit the Indiana State Department of Health at www.StateHealth.in.gov or follow us on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/isdh1.

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