Written question asked by Paul Marsden (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 25 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 4 July 2003. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Friday, 4 July 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the percentage of (a) men, (b) women and (c) children who eat five portions a day of fruit and vegetables. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the percentage of (a) men, (b) women and (c) children who eat five portions a day of fruit and vegetables. [122463] Miss Melanie Johnson: The Health Survey for England in 2001 estimated that 24 per cent. of men, 28 per cent. of women and 13 per cent. of children ate five portions or more of fruit and vegetables a day. One portion is 80 grams (it is estimated that eating at least five portions a day of a variety of fruit and vegetables would reduce overall deaths from chronic diseases by a fifth).

Secondary information