The low consumption of fruit and vegetables in Malta has led the health authorities to launch a campaign aimed at increasing their consumption, ideally to more than five a day.

The campaign was launched in Valletta this morning by Health Parliamentary Secretary Joe Cassar. He said that fruits and vegetables, which should form part of a healthy, balanced diet, were generally low in fat and calories.

They could help a person maintain weight and prevent some cancers and stroke. They also reduced the risk of heart disease.

The World Health Organisation recommended a minimum intake of five fruit and vegetable portions daily. But increasing this intake could further improve health.

Health Promotion director Charmaine Gauci said that according to data gathered from the Health Interview Survey in 2008, only 44 percent of the Maltese population ate two or more portions of fruit a day. This dropped to 19 percent when it came to vegetables.

An alarming three percent and five percent of the Maltese population ate less than one portion of fruit and vegetables respectively per week, while three percent of the population never included fruits or vegetables in their diet.

According to this survey, people aged 15 to 24 consumed less fruit and vegetables when compared to the rest of the population. Consumption levels in children were also reportedly low.

The Health Behaviour in School Age Children study revealed that only 44 percent and 16 percent of 11-year-olds in Malta ate at least one daily portion of fruits and vegetables, respectively.