ABC News reports a recent study shows American adults aren't consuming nearly enough fruits and vegetables.
Published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the study finds only 10% of adults consume recommended servings of vegetables per day.
The study also found that only 12.3% of Americans consume the appropriate amount of fruit.
The study noted proper amounts of fruits and vegetables "can help protect against some chronic conditions that are among the leading causes of mortality in the United States."
The study correlated the effect of wealth inequity and food insecurity on the citizens of the United States.
Researchers found that those living near the poverty line were only 6.8% likely to meet their daily recommended vegetable intake.
"Additional policies and programs that will increase access to fruits and vegetables...where U.S. residents live...might increase consumption and improve health." Study on Adults Meeting Vegetable Intake Recommendations CDC, via ABC News.
Researchers noted that already existing causes of food scarcity in the United States "might have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic."
"They say supply chain issues that hampered the nation's economy during the pandemic may have disproportionately affected those less well-to-do ... the availability of quality, affordable produce, those issues have gotten worse during
COVID because of the supply chain problems." Geri Henchy, director of nutrition policy Food Research & Action Center, via ABC News.
