24/11/02
Top sporting personalities will join Health Minister Bob Kucera today to launch the second phase of the Go For 2 & 5 campaign, which is designed to encourage Western Australians to eat more fruit and vegetables.
The second phase involves the release of a Healthy Food Fast cookbook containing quick and easy recipes.
It features:
- more than 100 recipes designed for busy people, families, and those who don't want to spend a long time preparing a meal;
- an informative A-Z section on selection, cooking and serving of vegetables; and
- a meal planner that clearly shows how to combine meals with the recommended two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables each day.
Mr Kucera said one of the main barriers to people increasing their fruit and vegetable intake was a perception that vegetables were difficult to prepare and took too much time.
"One of the major risk factors contributing to the overall burden of disease in WA is a serious lack of fruit and vegetables in our diet," he said.
"In 1995, the estimated cost of treating diseases attributable to diet was almost five per cent of total hospital costs. By 2001, that represented more than $76million."
Mr Kucera said fruit and vegetables produced some of the richest sources of vitamins, minerals, nutrients and fibre essential for good nutrition.
"Encouraging people to eat more fruit and veg is a serious matter - but getting them to do it is another," he said.
"Unfortunately, among the worst offenders for not eating enough fruit and vegetables are adults. In fact, a meagre seven per cent of WA adults are 'eating enough'."
The Minister said on average, WA adults were only eating 2.6 serves of vegetables and 1.6 serves of fruit a day - well below the recommended daily intake of five serves of vegetables and two of fruit.
People who regularly eat high quantities of fruit and vegetables have substantially lower risks of:
- coronary heart disease;
- stroke;
- several cancers;
- hypertension;
- Type two diabetes;
- cataracts; and
- macular degeneration of the eye.
Adequate consumption also helps prevent some vitamin deficiency diseases, obesity, constipation and other bowel disorders - as well as reduce blood pressure, improve diabetic control and lower blood cholesterol levels.
The Department of Health has produced the cookbook as part of its Go for 2 & 5 campaign to show people how easy it is to add extra serves of fruit and vegetables into their daily diet.
The cookbook is being supported by a State-wide media campaign promoting the 'Go for 2 & 5' message, including a TV commercial featuring the voice of well-known Australian personality Noni Hazelhurst that will run from now to mid-December.
The book retails for $9.95 and is available through newsagents, supermarkets and bookshops.
People can also order the book via the Internet at
http://www.gofor2and5.com.au or by phoning 1300 135 030.
The cookbook will be launched today at Forrest Place where a Celebrity Cook-off will take place involving BankWest Wildcat Ricky Grace, Fremantle Docker Luke McPharlin, Perth Oriole Stacey Rosman and Perth Glory defender Jamie Harnwell.
Minister's office: 9213 7000
