The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in conjunction with the National Cancer Institute, has created a program to encourage men to “shoot for nine”—that’s nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day. With the help of Clyde Drexler, a former NBA star, the federal agencies have branched out from their “5 a Day for Better Health Program” with a sports-themed program to encourage men to increase their fruit and vegetable consumption…According to a November 2002 health survey conducted by the institute, only 3 percent of men even know that they should be eating nine a day, and most chow down one-third of the daily recommended servings. Most women only need about seven servings a day, according to the cancer institute.

—C.J. Lais Jr., New York Times, 8/24/03