College students skipping fruits, veggies

American college students aren't eating anywhere near the recommended five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, a new study finds.

They aren't even eating one serving a day, according to an Oregon State University survey of 582 college students.

Males ate about five servings of fruit and vegetables a week, females only four. Males had more fat in their diet, but females had lower fiber intake.

Overall, females had better habits, including reading food labels, skipping fewer meals, and eating in college dining halls more frequently.

"We found that students skipped meals fairly frequently, which could account for some of the lack of fruits and veggies," Brad Cardinal, a professor of exercise and sport science at Oregon State University, said.

The study, released online, will appear in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. -- HealthDay