Fruit and vegetable consumption, 2009

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Fruit and vegetables are an important source of vitamins, minerals and fibre. A diet rich in fruit and vegetables may reduce the risk of heart disease and some types of cancer.¹

The fruit and vegetable consumption data are based on a survey question that measured the number of times respondents reported that they consumed fruit and vegetables, rather than the quantity consumed.

In 2009, 45.6% of Canadians 12 years and older reported that they consumed fruit and vegetables five or more times per day, up from 43.7% in 2008 and 37.6% in 2001.

Females were more likely than males to consume fruits and vegetables five or more times daily. In 2001, 43.0% of females did so; in 2009, 51.4% did so (Chart 1).

Chart 1
Percentage reporting that they consumed fruit and vegetables at least five times daily, household population aged 12 and older, Canada, 2001 to 2009

Description

Source: Canadian Community Health Survey, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

In 2009, about half of females in all age groups reported eating fruit and vegetables five or more times daily. Across all age groups, the percentage of males eating fruit and vegetables five or more times daily ranged from 35.6% to 46.1% (Chart 2).

Chart 2
Percentage reporting that they consumed fruit and vegetables at least five times daily, by age group and sex, household population aged 12 and older, Canada, 2009

Description

Source: Canadian Community Health Survey, 2009.

In Quebec, 54.0% of residents reported eating fruit and vegetables at least five times daily—the only province above the national average rate in 2009. Residents of British Columbia and Yukon reported consuming fruit and vegetables at least five times daily at about the same rate as the Canadian average. In all other provinces and territories, the rate was lower than the national average.

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End notes

1. Pérez, Claudio E. 2002. "Fruit and vegetable consumption." Vol. 13, no. 3. March. Health Reports. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 82-003. p. 23. /studies-etudes/82-003/archive/2002/6103-eng.pdf (accessed May 10, 2010).

References

Garriguet, Didier. 2007. "Canadians' eating habits." Health Reports. Vol. 18, no. 2. May. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 82-003. p. 17–32. /pub/82-003-x/2006004/article/habit/9609-eng.pdf (accessed May 10, 2010).

Pérez, Claudio E. 2002. "Fruit and vegetable consumption." Vol. 13, no. 3. March. Health Reports. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 82-003. p. 23–31. /studies-etudes/82-003/archive/2002/6103-eng.pdf (accessed May 10, 2010).

Data

Additional data from the Canadian Community Health Survey are available from CANSIM table 105–0501.