Why It Matters

Related Pages

Fewer than 1 in 10 children and adults eat recommended daily amount of vegetables

Fewer than 1 in 10 children and adults eat recommended daily amount of vegetables.

Only 4 in 10 children and fewer than 1 in 7 adults eat enough fruit

Only 4 in 10 children and fewer than 1 in 7 adults eat enough fruit.

Poor Nutrition Is Making Our Nation Sick

Vitamin and mineral malnutrition impacts our health and economy.

vitamins and minerals Low levels of vitamins and minerals can result in mental impairment and central nervous system defects in infants.

vitamins and minerals Poor nutrition contributes to many costly diseases, including obesity, heart disease, and some cancers.

Mothers stop breastfeeding earlier
than intended.

vitamins and minerals More than 80% of mothers start out breastfeeding, but about 60% stop sooner than they planned.

vitamins and minerals Low rates of breastfeeding add more than $3 billion a year to medical costs for women and children in the United States.

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Page last reviewed: April 30, 2018
Content source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion