21/09/2007

NI Bottom In Healthy Eating Poll

Northern Ireland has come last in a UK survey revealing who eats the daily recommended intake of fruit and vegetables.

A Cancer Research UK survey of over 4,000 men and women showed that only 34% of people said they were eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

In Northern Ireland, only 17% are eating their five-a-day.

The UK's south-west region had the highest proportion of people eating the recommended intake with 46% reaching the target compared to 27% in areas in the north and the midlands.

Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK'S Director of health information, said: "This lack of fruit and vegetables in the majority of diets across the UK is worrying. We know that the food we eat has a big influence on our health. We should all be eating more fruit and veg."

About one quarter of all cancer deaths are thought to be caused by unhealthy diets and obesity.

(LC/SP)

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