Ontarians don't eat enough fruit, veggies for cancer-fighting benefit: survey




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Ontarians don't eat enough fruit, veggies for cancer-fighting benefit: survey

by Nancy Carr, the Canadian Press

December 16, 2003

TORONTO (CP) - Ontario adults are not eating enough fruits and vegetables to reap cancer-fighting benefits, suggests a new study by Cancer Care Ontario .

The study released Tuesday also concludes many Ontarians are too heavy and too inactive, other risk factors for developing cancer. Up to 30 per cent of cancers - or 16,000 cases - could be prevented if Ontarians ate more fruit and vegetables, got more exercise and kept their weight in check, the provincial cancer agency says in its Ontario Nutrition and Cancer Prevention Survey.

Another 30 per cent of cancers could be eliminated if smokers quit their habit, it adds.

Cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum pancreas, larynx, lungs and bladder all have "convincing or probable evidence for prevention by vegetable and fruit consumption," Cancer Care Ontario says. Esophagus, colon, rectum, breast, uterus and kidney cancers seem to be positively affected by maintaining a healthy body weight, and physical activity may combat cancer of the colon, rectum, breast, uterus and prostate.

Health agencies recommend that adults eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day, but 40 per cent of adults fail to consume that minimum, Cancer Care Ontario adds.

"Some of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of cancer are some of the simplest," says Dr. Terry Sullivan, vice-president of research and cancer control at the agency.

"Each day we should be eating a few more fruits and vegetables and including a bit more physical activity as well as keeping our weight in a healthy range."

The telephone survey, conducted between June 2001 and May 2002, involved 3,183 Ontario residents ages 18 to 64.

Forty-eight per cent of Ontarians surveyed were found to be overweight, with a body mass index of 25 or more. The index - the standard measure for health - is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in metres.

Another 48 per cent of those surveyed said they got less than three hours of physical activity a week, less than the recommended 3.5 hours a week.

Only 14 per cent of those surveyed got the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables and exercise and maintained a healthy weight.

Results from a Cancer Care Ontario survey on nutrition and cancer prevention involving 3,183 men and women:

-30 per cent of cancers in adults could be prevented if Ontarians ate more fruits and vegetables, exercised and kept their weight in check.

-About 40 per cent of Ontarians surveyed didn't eat five to 10 servings of fruit or vegetables daily, as recommended by Canada 's Food Guide for Healthy Eating.

-Women ate 6.3 servings of fruit or vegetables. Men ate 5.4.

-Five per cent of women and 10 per cent of men ate two servings or fewer of fruits and vegetables a day, which could double their risk of cancer.

-48 per cent of those surveyed - almost twice as many men as women - were above a healthy body weight. Twelve per cent were obese.

-43 per cent of men and 53 per cent of women did not meet the minimum recommended amount of physical activity, reporting less than three hours a week.