Final answer:
While the exact percentage of adults eating less than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day is not provided, it is known that many fail to meet the recommended intake. Nutritional guidelines for a 61-year-old sedentary woman suggest 1.5 to 2 cups of fruits and 2 to 3 cups of vegetables per day.
Step-by-step explanation:
The specific percentage of adults who report eating less than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day is not provided in the reference material. However, it is widely acknowledged in health and nutrition circles that many adults do not meet the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables. For a 61-year-old woman who does not exercise regularly, general dietary guidelines suggest a consumption of approximately 1.5 to 2 cups of fruits and 2 to 3 cups of vegetables per day as part of a healthy diet. This can vary based on individual dietary needs and health objectives.
According to the information provided, nutrition experts consider fruits and vegetables vital for maintaining a balanced diet. It's worth noting that dietary recommendations are often presented on food labels in the form of percent daily values, which indicate how much of each nutrient you should consume based on a 2,000-calorie diet. For instance, a food with a percent daily value of 5% or less for a nutrient is low in that nutrient.
An alarming statistic reveals that with over 70 percent of Americans being overweight or obese, many are attempting to manage their weight. Such attempts frequently involve reducing food consumption, which may inadvertently include reducing the intake of healthy foods like fruits and vegetables.