Teen diets a 'ticking time bomb' according to the Department of Health

The Department of Health has today published data showing teenage eating habits are poor, with teenage girls having particularly poor eating habits, risking long-term effects to their health.

Commenting on the data, Campaign Coordinator, Kawther Hashem said:

“We are highly concerned that teenagers’ diets are becoming increasingly unhealthy, boosting their risk of heart disease, cancer and other illnesses as adults”.

“The government has failed to acknowledge the role the junk food industry plays in undermining young people’s health. As long as children and teenagers are bombarded by junk food marketing, they will be encouraged to make unhealthy dietary choices”.

“This is also a clear call for the Government to confirm its long-term backing for school meal food and nutrition standards, which are now needed more than ever”.

For further information and interviews, please contact Kawther Hashem / Christine Haigh on 0203 5596 777 or Kawther@sustainweb.org / Christine@sustainweb.org

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. The Children's Food Campaign wants to improve children's health and well-being through better food - and food teaching - in schools, and protecting children from junk food marketing. We are coordinated by Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming, supported by over 150 national organisations and funded by the British Heart Foundation.
2. The press release from Department of Health is available at www.dh.gov.uk/en/MediaCentre/Pressreleases/DH_128614
   
   It concludes that:

• Both teenage boys and girls are failing to get their recommended 5-a-day of fruit and vegetable
• Teenage girls are only eating half their recommended portions of fruit and vegetable
• Just 56 per cent of teenage girls are getting enough iron in their diet
• Findings build on previous surveys and highlight that poor eating habits risk storing up a number of potential problems for later life, such as heart disease and some cancers