PHOM Indicator Profile Report of Daily vegetable consumption

Why Is This Important?

Vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other compounds that may help prevent many chronic diseases. Compared with people who consume a diet with only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts as part of a healthful diet are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers.^1^ Fruits and vegetables also help people to achieve and maintain a healthy weight because they are relatively low in energy density.^2^ To promote health and prevent chronic diseases, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends 2.5 cups of vegetables per day in a standard 2,000-calorie diet for those between the ages of 19 and 59.^3^ Specific recommendations based on an individual's age, gender, and activity level can be found in the [https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials/ 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans].[[br]] [[br]] ---- 1. MyPlate U.S. Department of Agriculture [https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/vegetables/ "Vegetables"][[br]] 2. CDC [https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/healthy-eating/index.html "Tips for Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight"] [[br]] 3. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th Edition. December 2020. Available at [https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/ Dietary Guidelines for Americans].

The percentage of adults consuming three servings of vegetables per day have had a slight downward trend for both Utah and the U.S. since 2011. Data are collected in odd years.

Data Notes

In 2011, the BRFSS changed its methodology from a landline only sample and weighting based on post-stratification to a landline/cell phone sample and raking as the weighting methodology. Raking accounts for variables such as income, education, marital status, and home ownership during weighting and has the potential to more accurately reflect the population distribution. Due to changes in both sampling and the vegetable consumption question format, 2011 data should not be compared to previous years. U.S. data do not include U.S. territories, but do include District of Columbia. Age-adjusted to U.S. 2000 standard population.

Risk Factors

There is some evidence that people who develop the habit of eating fruits and vegetables early in life are likely to maintain the behavior as adults.[[br]] [[br]]

How Are We Doing?

Only 12.6% of Utah adults in 2021 reported eating vegetables 3 or more times a day in the past month (age-adjusted rate). The percentage of adults consuming 3 servings of vegetables per day has generally declined since 2012 in Utah (18.2% in 2012 vs. 12.6% in 2021).

What Is Being Done?

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services Healthy Environments Active Living (HEAL) Program plays a key role in improving the health of residents in the state of Utah. The program was formed in July 2013 (as Healthy Living through Environment, Policy, and Improved Clinical Care: EPICC), through a new funding opportunity from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This allowed for the merging of three previously existing programs: the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, and the Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity Program, as well as the addition of a school health program. HEAL was recently restructured as part of a strategic planning process. This new program model focuses on staff and partners working together to address the social determinants of health while advancing health equity and increasing policy, systems, and environmental changes. HEAL works: In schools:[[br]] HEAL encourages [https://heal.utah.gov/schools/ schools] to adopt the [https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/professional_development/e-learning/CSPAP/index.html/ Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program]. This framework encourages students to be physically active for 60 minutes a day through school, home, and community activities. HEAL also works with schools to apply the [https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/wscc/index.htm/ Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model], which emphasizes the role of the community in supporting academic and health success for students. In worksites:[[br]] HEAL offers training on developing worksite wellness programs called Work@Health. HEAL partners with local health departments to encourage worksites to complete the CDC Scorecard and participate in yearly health risk assessments for their employees. HEAL provides toolkits and other resources for employers interested in implementing wellness programs at [https://heal.utah.gov/worksite-wellness/ Worksite Wellness]. In communities:[[br]] HEAL receives federal funding to partner with worksites, community-based organizations, and local health departments to increase access to [https://heal.utah.gov/nutrition/ fresh fruits and vegetables] in worksite and community settings. HEAL also partners with local health departments to work with cities and/or counties within their jurisdictions to foster a built environment that encourages [https://heal.utah.gov/physical-activity/ physical activity]. In healthcare:[[br]] HEAL works with health care systems to establish community clinical linkages to support individuals [https://heal.utah.gov/diabetes/ at risk for or diagnosed with diabetes] or hypertension to engage in lifestyle change programs such as chronic disease self-management and diabetes prevention programs. In childcare:[[br]] HEAL works with state and local partners through the Childcare Obesity Prevention workgroup to implement policy and systems changes in early care and education across agencies statewide. Ten local health departments statewide have implemented the [https://heal.utah.gov/top-star-providers/ TOP Star Program], which aims to improve the nutrition, physical activity, and breastfeeding policies and environments to achieve best practices in childcare centers and homes.