A report by the Food Foundation has shown that the quality of food we’re feeding our children dramatically impacts their health, growth and intelligence.
Kids are Shorter, Fatter and Sicker
The report highlights that thanks to poor diets, food poverty and food insecurity, many children are suffering severe yet avoidable health consequences.
Obesity-Related Diseases Increasing
The report says that obesity rates in children are up by nearly a third. Type 2 diabetes rates are up by over 20%.
Children Are Getting Shorter
The report also says that the number of UK children is shrinking thanks to poor nutrition. In the 1980s, British kids were 69th of 200 in height. Now they’re 96th (girls) and 102nd (boys).
Marketing Key to Decline
A significant part of the problem is the aggressive marketing of high-sugar, high-fat foods to children. Campaigners are seeking a change in advertising rules to make them less visible to young viewers.
Childhood Obesity Causes Further Complications
As well as the apparent physical health issues, childhood obesity has also been linked to significant mental health problems.
‘Ticking Time Bomb’ Awaits NHS
If health problems start early and in more significant numbers, this will likely cause a much more enormous burden for the NHS than it can handle.
Food System “Failures”
Henry Dimbleby, the author of the National Food Strategy, said: “The decline in children’s health shown clearly in this report is a shocking and unfortunate result of the failures of the food system in the UK.”
Government Action Needed
He continued: “We need the next government to take decisive action to make healthy and sustainable food affordable, stem the constant flow of junk food and to realise that investing in children’s health is an investment in the future of the country.”
Problem Isn’t Purely Economic
Previously, the belief was that poor food quality was the reserve of poor countries, but the picture is changing.
Experts Say the Problem is a New One
“We used to think of the combination of undernutrition and obesity as a feature of low and middle income countries. We are now seeing it in Britain in 2024” said Michael Marmot, the director of UCL’s Institute of health equity.
Life Expectancy Impacted
Marmot continued: “Over a century of history has led us to expect continuous improvements in health. Over the last dozen years that has changed. Healthy life expectancy has declined. Quite simply, people’s fundamental human needs are not being met.”
Accountability Needs to be Shared
Food companies are powerful and can lobby the government to ensure they are well-protected and challenging to overrule.
Government Must Accept Some Responsibility
With a growing crisis in young people caused by an overconsumption of junk food, the government will need to look at all available steps to prevent the problem from getting out of hand.
Gordon Brown Critical of Government Inaction
The former Prime Minister said: “When the height of five-year-olds has been falling since 2013, and we’re learning babies born today will enjoy a year less good health than babies born a decade ago, every mother and father in the land will be concerned and shocked at what is happening to children through lack of nutrition, living through the hungry 2020s in food bank Britain.”
Food Foundation Director Also Frustrated
Anna Taylor, The Food Foundation’s executive director, has also been critical of the government. She said: “Politicians across the political spectrum must prioritise policies that give all children access to the nutrition they need to grow up healthily, as should be their right.”
Parents Bear Ultimate Responsibility
Fundamentally, the food decisions for most children are made by parents. Whilst some poor diets will be down to genuine financial hardship, many will be because parents haven’t prioritised their children’s health.
Curriculum Changes Urged
Some health experts have called for health and physical education to be considered a priority subject in schools, along with maths, English, and science.
Killed By Convenience
The unfortunate reality for many families is that time is limited, and sound nutritional practices fall by the wayside. Children are frequently fed freezer food and takeaways, and the problem begins to bite.
Problems Aren’t Irreversible
With sufficient government action against food manufacturers, a change in kids’ activity levels, and prioritising better choices at home and in schools, this problem can be fixed.
25 Things You CAN’T Talk About Anymore
Remember the days when you could freely discuss just about anything without fear of sparking controversy? Well, those days are long gone. In today’s hyper-sensitive world, there are topics so fraught with tension that even mentioning them can lead to heated debates and hurt feelings. 25 Things You CAN’T Talk About Anymore
Stranded: 15 Worst British Cars in History
Ever had a car that spent more time with the mechanic than on the road? A car that turned every journey into a game of “Will we actually get there?” If so, you might just see a familiar face (or should we say, chassis) in our countdown to the most unreliable British car in history. Stranded: 15 Worst British Cars in History
“Britain Will Become Unrecognizable” – Suella Braverman Spells Disaster for UK Amid Steep Rise in Visas Issued
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has warned that Britain will become “unrecognizable,” criticizing the amount of work visas the Home Office has approved, despite only being removed from her role in November. “Britain Will Become Unrecognizable” – Suella Braverman Spells Disaster for UK Amid Steep Rise in Visas Issued
20 Things From the ‘70s That Are Not OK Today
Step into the time machine and set the dial to the 1970s, a decade of disco, bell-bottoms, and some rather questionable choices. While the ’70s gave us iconic music and groundbreaking TV, not everything from this groovy era would get a green light today. 20 Things From the ‘70s That Are Not OK Today
20 Best and Worst Universities in the UK
Navigating the UK university landscape is like deciphering a complex code of rankings, reviews, and reputations to uncover where you’ll not just learn, but truly flourish. Whether you’re drawn to the historic halls of Oxford or the creative buzz of Goldsmiths, finding your perfect fit is about aligning your aspirations with the unique offerings of each institution. 20 Best and Worst Universities in the UK
The post Report Shows Parents Are Failing Their Children’s Health first appeared on Edge Media.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Yuriy Golub.