UK children are feasting on junk food at least three times a day, finds study

25th November 2011, 11:37am

A new British Heart Foundation survey has unveiled statistics that nearly one in three UK children eat sweets, chocolate and crisps three or more times a day, while almost nine in ten children surveyed (88%) were not eating their recommended five portions of fruit and veg every day.

The survey of 2,000 11- to 16-year-olds helps give a snapshot of their daily diet. Based on the results, the charity calculates a child's typical daily diet includes one packet of crisps, one chocolate bar, one bag of chewy jelly sweets, one fizzy drink and one energy drink.

This means kids are consuming almost 30 teaspoons of sugar (118g), more fat than a cheeseburger, and over a third of their daily calorie intake from snacks alone.

School Food Trust Nutritionist, Jo Nicholas, said: "This is another reminder of why the National School Food Standards and our forthcoming national, voluntary guidelines on healthy food and drink for early years settings have never been so important.
 
"Schools using the national standards don't offer crisps, chocolate or sweets to children, and have well-balanced lunch menus where the average meal gives children the energy and essential nutrients they need. Their menus encourage children to try different foods rather than having the same thing every single day – another important part of a good diet for children. 

"But packed lunches are also part of this picture – and all the evidence shows that the average lunchbox is still far less healthy than a typical school meal. Research suggests that only 1% of packed lunches would meet the same standards as school meals, while our own national study found that primary school children having packed lunches eat less fruit and veg and often have foods in their lunchboxes which can't be served on school menus any more, like crisps and chocolate bars." 

Chairman Rob Rees added: "There are simple things which can make a huge difference. We have to start early – support nurseries, children's centres and other providers of childcare to offer balanced menus, encouraging children to try lots of different foods and to eat together. We have to help families with young children to develop the skills they need to cook healthy meals, from scratch, at home. 

"We also need to encourage more children to choose healthy school meals – which on average are much healthier than a typical packed lunch – and keep up the great work in schools to make nutritious menus tasty, varied and fun. 

"Finally, we have to make sure that all children have the chance to learn to cook. We know from our work in thousands of schools all over the country that cooking skills improve diets. It's a life skill which will help children to grow into healthier adults."

Related Articles:

• 30 Jan 2008 - BHF launches website to beat junk food

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