Statistics Canada's 2000/01 Community Health Survey reveals that women 20 and older eat fruit and vegetables 4.9 times per day, compared with 4.2 times for men in the same age category.
Women who describe themselves as active or moderately active consume them more often than those who are inactive (5.7 and 5.3 times/day v. 4.5). Active and moderately active men also eat fruit and vegetables more frequently than inactive males (4.9 and 4.3 times/day v. 3.9).
The survey also found that alcohol-dependent Canadians consume fruits and vegetables less frequently than those who are not dependent. (Respondents who reported having 5 or more drinks at one time at least once a month in the year before the survey were considered alcohol dependent.) Women who were not dependent on alcohol ate fruits and vegetables 4.9 times per day, compared with 3.9 times daily for women who were dependent. Likewise, alcohol-dependent men consume fruits and vegetables less often than those who do not (3.8 times/day v. 4.3 times).
Men with chronic medical conditions or disabilities consume fruits and vegetables less often than those without them (4.2 times/day v. 4.6), but there is no difference in consumption between women with and without chronic conditions or disabilities.
For both men and women, the frequency of consumption of fruits and vegetables increases with household income and education. Men and women who are married or living in common-law relationships eat fruits and vegetables more frequently than those who are single, separated, widowed or divorced. — Shelley Martin, Senior Analyst, Research, Policy and Planning Directorate, CMA
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