Junk food targeted at kids adding to UK obesity crisis

Easy availability of unhealthy junk foods at kids' leisure centres is a growing concern for campaigners working to cut childhood obesity rates.

A report by the Food Commission for the British Heart Foundation revealed that healthy options such as fresh fruit are only displayed in less than half of venues for young people in the UK.

Dietician Charlene Shoneye commented on the findings: "There is lots of evidence that the eating habits that we develop as children follow us through into adulthood.

"Many children, who are overweight particularly as they get older, are more likely to continue to be overweight as adults. Eating a healthy well balanced diet is important for the prevention of disease and for developing a healthy growing child as well."

There is a wide body of research to suggest that Foods high in fat, salt and sugar are key contributors to the nation's problem with overweight children, putting them at greater risk of developing chronic health problems.

In September, the Department for Children, Schools and Families introduced new nutrition standards for school lunches to encourage more pupils to eat fruit and vegetables.

Waist to Height Ratio is a better predictor of heart disease and diabetes risk than body mass index (BMI), according to new research. British scientists analysed a team of 300,000 people, and found that Waist...

Only one in five people in the UK eat the recommended five portions of fruit and veg a day, according to a new poll. The YouGov survey of more than 2,000 UK adults, carried out for the World Cancer Research...

The number of people dying from cancer in their 50’s has fallen to its lowest record level. Figures from Cancer Research UK show a 40 per cent drop in cancer deaths among 50 to 59 year olds. Now, 185 in...

Experts at Oxford University have recommended a 20 per cent fat tax on sugary drinks to help with the UK’s obesity crisis. A recent study published in the Lancet Journal warned that almost half of British men...

A survey by Macmillan Cancer Support has revealed that people are often unprepared for the financial cost of cancer. Research by Macmillan Cancer Support has shown that the average cancer patient in Wales...