Children 'need healthy options'

Published on 30-10-2009

Summary:

Vending machines in venues such as activity halls and sports centres should contain healthy options for children, it has been claimed.

Charlene Shoneye, a dietician at obesity charity Weight Concern, said that places frequented by young people should offer a wide choice of food and drink – not just unhealthy items.

"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," she explained.

Ms Shoneye added that following a healthy diet as a child is important and can help people to prevent themselves from developing diseases in the future.

A report published earlier this week by the British Heart Foundation concluded that children's menus tend to be monopolised by "junk food", while most vending machines aimed at youngsters contain goods that are high in sugar and fat.