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What is it? |
| The 5 A Day for Better Health Program is the
largest public-private nutrition education program ever launched. It is one of the first
programs to approach Americans with a simple, positive message - to eat 5 or more serving
of fruits and vegetables every day for better health. The program is a collaborative
effort between the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the
Produce for Better Health
Foundation (PBH) using retail, media and health channels to encourage Americans to improve
their eating habits to reduce the risk of diet-related cancers and other chronic diseases.
Its goal is to increase the average per capita consumption of fruits and vegetables in the
U.S. to at least 5 servings a day. The most recent figures show that the average
American presently eats 4.4 servings per day. This is a significant increase from the
program’s inception in 1991 when only 3.0 servings per day were consumed. Each state
in the U.S. is licensed by the National Cancer Institute to use the 5 A Day logo and
materials to promote the program. A State 5 A Day Coordinator, usually a registered
dietitian or other health professional, directs the promotional efforts. |
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Scientific Rationale |
| According to the 1988 "Surgeon General’s Report
on Nutrition and Health," the three most important personal habits that influence
health are smoking, alcohol consumption and diet. The report established the fact that
two-thirds of all deaths--including coronary disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, diabetes
and many types of cancer--are related to what we eat. The National Cancer Institute’s
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control has determined that about
35 percent of all cancer
deaths in the United States may be related to the diet. In reviews of more than
200
epidemiological studies it was found that for cancers of the digestive and respiratory
tracts, people who consumed about 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily were at
approximately half the risk of cancer as those who consumed fewer than two servings a day.
It is estimated that $250 billion a year in health care costs and lost productivity are
attributed to diet-related diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
These diseases are caused by diets too high in fat and too low in fruits and vegetables. |
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The Arkansas 5 A Day Coalition |
| Arkansas, like many other states, has a 5 a Day Coalition.
The Arkansas coalition comprises approximately 40 different organizations that are willing
to invest their time and effort toward improving the diet of Arkansans. This type of
partnership allows for efficient utilization of resources and helps minimize overlap in
nutrition education/awareness services to Arkansans. The coalition has done a fantastic
job of promoting the program. During the first two years of the coalition’s existence
(1994-96), the number of Arkansans eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables
increased from 25.3 to 34.2 percent. It seems people quickly take to the program because of the
simple, uncontroversial message, "Eat your fruits and vegetables" (just like mom
used to say). There are four committees within the coalition (school, worksite, community
and media/communication), each providing a different channel from which to promote the
program so that all populations within the state will be reached. |
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5 A Day Week |
| Each year the second full week
in September is designated as 5 A Day Week. This is the major
annual promotion that allows a myriad of 5 A Day participants
to join forces for a week of high visibility activities.
The 1999 5 A Day Week ran from September 12-18 and had as its
theme, "Take the 5 A Day challenge: Get Fit with
5." The promotion emphasized the importance of
eating plenty of fruits and vegetables while staying
physically active. Five A Day Week for the new
millennium was September 10-16. The campaign theme
was"Take the 5 A Day Challenge: Fruits and
Vegetables by Popular Demand." This promotion
encouraged people to ask for better fruit and vegetable
offerings at schools, restaurants, worksite cafeterias,
etc. Five A Day Week activities in Arkansas
included a health fair; exhibits; distribution of program
materials to work sites, hospitals, schools, other
organizations, and the general public; and extensive media
coverage of 5 A Day events. Next year's 5 A Day Week
will be September 9-15, with the theme yet to be
announced. The annual 5 A Day Week Health Fair will be
held at the Little Rock River Market on Saturday, September 8
from 8 a.m. to noon. Health checks and info, games,
prizes, giveaways, fruit snacks -- everything is free!
And shop the farmers' market while there too!
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Contact |
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Information on the national
5 A Day Program can be obtained from the Internet at
www.5aday.gov.
For a full catalog of 5 A Day Promotional Products designed
to aid health and educational professionals in promoting
and teaching the 5 A Day message, log on to www.5AdayCatalog.com.
For Arkansas 5 A Day Program Program information, recipes,
and tips on including fruits and vegetables in your
diet, log on to our
Web page. For
program materials or more information about the 5 A Day
Program, contact David Rath,
State 5 A Day Coordinator, Arkansas Department of
Health, at 501-661-2277 (Little Rock), or 1-800-482-5400
ext. 4168 (toll free), fax: 501-661-2070, or send
written inquiries to:
Arkansas 5 A Day Coalition, 4815 W. Markham St.,
Slot 11, Little Rock, Arkansas
72205-3867.
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