5 To 10 A Day For Better Health

What's the purpose of the 5-to-10-a-day campaign?

The goal is to reduce the risk of cancer and cardio-vascular disease, by encouraging Canadians to consume at least five servings of vegetables and fruit a day as part of a healthy diet (as described in Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating), and as part of a healthy lifestyle. The aim of the campaign is not only to create awareness, but also to change people's eating habits, within a healthy, active lifestyle.

Why?

• - Cancer and cardiovascular disease account for over 130,000 deaths in Canada every year.


• - Cost-Benefit: The cost for cardiovascular diseases and cancer totaled is over $32 billion a year - Health Canada's Economic Burden of Illness in Canada, 1998. Reducing the rates of these diseases would save billions of dollars to the health care system.


• - The report also states the need for: "research, health promotion and disease prevention focused on illnesses with the greatest 'health burden."


• - The American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund, brought together 15 of the world's leading scientists in diet and cancer in order to produce a comprehensive report on diet and cancer prevention: Food, Nutrition and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective.


• - The study concluded that "…consumption of five servings or more of a variety of vegetables and fruit could, by itself, decrease overall cancer incidence by at least 20%."


• - Thousands of other studies have concluded that plant foods can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, and lower blood pressure and cholesterol.


• - Canadians continue to be extremely interested in nutrition but Interest is not being translated into healthy eating:
  • - only 24% of Canadians eat at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day;
    (AC Neilsen, 2006)
  • - 52% of Canadians say they know a great deal about the amount of fruits and vegetables they should eat on a daily basis.
    (source, Consumer Perspectives on Healthy Eating, Summary of Quantitative Research October 2003)

Who's Involved?

Central to the success of this campaign is the participation and support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society, who play vital roles in promoting the importance of vegetables and fruit and healthy eating.

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) have a national network of retail grocers and industry members who play an important role in the implementation of the public education strategy.

Public Health practitioners are also involved in the dissemination of information about the benefits of eating Fruit and Veggies.

Visit the WHY section to find out more about the benefits of eating more vegetables and fruit!