Updated October 2022

Author: Physical Activity and Nutrition Program, Vermont Department of Health

The amount of fruit needed in the diet depends on age, sex, and level of physical activity. In general, the recommended daily amount of fruit for adolescents is 2 servings. At every meal, half of the plate should be filled with fruits and vegetables.

In 2019, the Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data showed that 31% of Vermont adolescents in grades 9-12 reported eating fruit two or more times a day. This rate is similar across grades and among girls and boys. This is a decrease from the 2017 YRBS results, when 33% of adolescents reported eating fruit two or more times a day.

Students who reported eating the recommended amount of fruits in Vermont were significantly less likely to report being obese. Available national data and best practices indicate consuming the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables is beneficial and helps reduce the risk of obesity.

The Healthy Vermonters 2020 target for the percent of adolescents in grades 9-12 consuming fruit two or more times a day is 40%.

Fruits and vegetables contribute important nutrients for the human body. Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables is associated with a decreased risk of many chronic diseases including obesity, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, and some cancers. Eating fruits and vegetables can also help with weight management. Encouraging teens to eat more fruits and vegetables will provide them with the nourishment they need as they continue to grow. It also will build healthy habits to carry through adulthood.

• Vermont Department of Health District Offices: Educate schools, municipal leaders, local non-profit agencies, and families about the importance of healthy food access and practices.
• Division of Maternal & Child Health, Vermont Department of Health: collaborate with school personnel and statewide education leadership to support child health outcomes.
• Vermont Agency of Education: operates the child nutrition programs for Vermont schools. They also partnered with Vermont Department of Health and Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets to promote school wellness policy implementation.
• Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets: supports and helps fund farm to school programs through state level grant opportunities They also partnered with Vermont Department of Health and Vermont Agency of Education to promote school wellness policy implementation and integration of farm to school activities.
• School Nutrition Association of Vermont (SNA VT) provides professional development and technical assistance to school food service professionals.
• Vermont Farm to School Network supports schools in developing farm to school programs and the integration of farm to school activities into school wellness policies.
• American Heart Association: provides support and advocacy for healthy eating policies.

There are several evidence-based strategies that can be used to improve the proportion of adolescents eating the daily recommended servings of fruit:

• School based programs/policies that encourage healthy eating and nutrition education can help students build healthy eating habits, and understand the benefits of those habits to their health. Results of the National School Lunch Program changes have been positive with fruit consumption increasing and plate waste decreasing.
• Healthy Community Design strategies such as incorporating community gardens, farmers markets, and zoning policies for grocery stores to be in central locations that are accessible. These benefit teens and adults alike.

More information can be found in the CDC Guide to Strategies to Increase the Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables.

At the Vermont Department of Health, multiple strategies are being utilized to increase fruit consumption among adolescents:

• Farm to School: Schools participating in Farm to School programs help students to learn about where their food comes from, while also supporting local farms. Often students have a hand in growing and preparing fruits through these programs. Farm to school exposes students to new fruits and help them develop the habit of eating fruit daily.
• USDA School lunch and breakfast requirements: In 2010 the school lunch requirements changed to include healthier items including more whole grains, adjusted portion sizes and fruit at each meal. Additionally, participating schools and school districts are required to write and implement a local wellness policy that focuses on nutrition and physical activity. The Vermont Department of Health, Vermont Agency of Education and Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets developed the Vermont School Wellness Policy Guidelines to support schools in this work.
• Improved access for low income families through SNAP/Three Squares: The Vermont Department of Health is partnering with 3Squares to help those eligible for 3Squares learn how to store and use fresh produce. Many 3Squares participants are parents with teens at home.

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is a paper survey administered in Vermont middle and high schools every two years since 1993. The survey is sponsored by the Department of Health's Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs, and the Department of Education's Coordinated School Health Programs and the CDC. The YRBS measures the prevalence of behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death, disease, and injury among youth. Vermont surveys over 30,000 students at each administration. Weighted data is compiled to generate a representative state sample, and local data is used by schools, supervisory unions, health programs and other local organizations. The YRBS is completed in over 40 other states and there is a national weighted sample for comparison. Data are updated as it becomes available and timing is based on when results from the survey are released.

Prevalence and percentages are calculated by using descriptive statistical procedures using software such as SPSS, SAS, and/or SUDAAN. These statistics describe the proportion of individuals with a given trait in the population during a specified period of time.

Note that prior to 2013, statewide estimates were generated by weighting processes from a representative sample of schools. In 2013, the methodology was changed and all student responses were used in creating statewide estimates, allowing for more accurate reporting. 2011 data were recalculated in the same way as 2013 data in order to improve comparisons.