5 + A DAY 2000 - Another first.

5 + A DAY 2000 - Another first.

Targeting the most At Risk population.

2000 sees the very successful 5 + A DAY campaign launching new resources for Maori children; the first Nutrition resource of it’s kind in New Zealand. This year we’re looking to increase Maori children’s intake to more than 5 pieces of fresh fruit and vegetables A DAY.

For the first time the Hillary Commission’s Push-Play message and 5 + A DAY combine their winning formulas to reinforce the message that what we put into our bodies affects what we can achieve - like putting the right fuel into an engine.

To celebrate the launch of these new Bilingual Resources 5 + A DAY is throwing a party with over 250 Maori children from Kohangas in the Auckland area gathering on October 30th ; But it’s not just Auckalnd... all over New Zealand there will be 5 + A DAY colourful actvities, entertainment and excitement. This is only the first day of a major event that rocks New Zealand from one end to the other with over 1200 primary schools involved and over 1600 early education centres - that’s nearly half a million children!

5+ A DAY ‘s new research, in August, identified Maori levels of fresh fruit and vegetable consumption are well below the national average. We know changing the nation’s Nutritional habits starts with our children. These new resources are aimed at the new growing generation of Maori language speakers in a bid to close the gaps of good nutrition.

5+ A DAY - Week

30 Oct - Nov 3 2000

FACT SHEET

When?

5 + A DAY Week runs from October 30- Nov 3rd 2000 and it’s the seventh year the programme has been running.

What is 5 + A DAY?

5 + A DAY is the campaign which encourages all New Zealanders, especially children to eat five or more servings of fresh fruit and vegetables every day. The programme encourages healthy eating habits and is based on recognised nutritional guidelines.

What is the challenge in 2000?

This year we are launching new Nutrition reosurces targeting our Maori children. New Bilingual resources for Kohangas are our bid to try and increase intake and try the healthier alternatives in fresh fruit and vegetables.

What is the 5 + A DAY Week?

5 + A DAY Week is five days of activities in primary schools, early education centres and now kohangas around the country. Schools are provided with resource kits which give lessons and activities based on the 5 + A DAY programme.

Who takes part in 5 + A DAY?

This year we add kohangas to our growing list of education centres who are taking the messages to heart. Over 1200 Primary Schools have enrolled and received their activity kits. This involves nearly 400,000 children.

We have also just launched into Early Education Centres and we have over 1600 Pre Schools enrolled involving over 112,000 children under 5 years of age.

That’s over half a million children! While the week focuses on children, we hope they will take the healthy eating messages home to their parents.

How much is a serving?

A serving is the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables you can fit into the palm of your hand. So, a serving for child is greatly different to that of an adult.

Why is 5 + A DAY so important?

Our new research has shown Maori and Pacific Island peoples are still falling behind the National Average intake. Research has consistently proven the benefits of eating fresh fruit and vegetables every day to maintain good health and as a preventative step against certain diseases. Research has also shown consumption of takeaways is increasing and with it nutrition related problems such as obesity.

The 5 + A DAY programme aims to increase the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables for all New Zealanders and with this improve the nation’s health.

WHAT DOES OUR RESEARCH SAY...

In New Zealand, a national diet rich in fruit and vegetables could save 867 lives this year states a recent Ministry of Health paper Our Health, Our Future. Too few fruits and Vegetables in our diets has caused 3% of all deaths and 9 % of cancer deaths.

But New Zealanders still aren’t eating enough .. Less than half of us are eating the recommended fruit intake. While Pakeha women (49%) are keen to much through the recommended daily intake others are lagging behind- Men eat only 3.7 servings daily ; Maori opt for 3.6 servings, while Pacific Island peoples consume less than 3.5 servings per day.

These findings were compiled by research International NZ, which surveyed 500 New Zealanders in 15 centres earlier this year.

And although 76% are well aware of the health dangers involved in eating junk food on a regular basis that doesn’t stop the consumption. Of those last surveyed, 19% of Maori had eaten instant food 5 or more times in the past week - compared to 34% of Pacific Island people and 9 % of Pakeha.

The good news is as a nation, we do now believe that fruit and vegetables add variety to meals(90%),provide most of the minerals,vitamins and fibre needed (87%), help us enjoy alonger and healthier life(83%), and generally make us feel healthier (79%).

Low in calories, low in fat, fruit and vegetables are the cornerstone to a healthy lifestyle.

5 + A DAY is supported by the National Heart Foundation of NZ, the Cancer Society of NZ, The NZ Nutrition Foundation, Agencies for Nutrition Action and the Ministry of Health.