Research Finds Children Are Bending The Rules To Avoid Healthy School Food And That They Are 'drowning' In Fast Food Outlets

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 06 Jan 2009 - 3:00 PST

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A study from experts at City University London has found that children in Tower Hamlets are regularly ignoring school healthy eating initiatives to binge on fast food on the way to and from school - some even choose to skip lunch to eat fast food at the end of the day. The research also examined the prevalence of fast food outlets in the borough and found that 97% of households lie within a ten-minute walk from a convenience food seller and that in some areas there are more fast food outlets than shops.

The new study, conducted by head of the Centre for Food Policy at City University London Dr Martin Caraher with Sue Lloyd and Tim Madelin, is based on feedback from pupils in Tower Hamlets, area surveys, observations of the use of fast food outlets and food sampling.

Key findings include:

- High levels of after-school activity in fast food outlets with some students reporting skipping lunch and waiting for the end of the school day to eat there;

- Many students shop on the way to school, eat on the 'move' on the way to school, or find ways of bringing in food at lunchtime e.g. from those with permission to go off school grounds;

- Students expressed the opinion that the price of school food was 'bad-value' compared to what was available on the high-street;

- Students were aware that the food on offer in the school canteen was healthy;

- Schools with a closed gate policy largely avoided the migration of students to the high street to buy fast food at lunchtime;

- On average there are 36 fast food outlets per secondary school in Tower Hamlets, compared to a national average of 23;

- Many of the borough's shops do not sell a range of fresh fruit and vegetables necessary for a healthy diet;

- Use of fast food outlets in the evenings is dominated by young men.

Dr Caraher says:

"We were shocked by the lengths students will go to to avoid healthy food in schools and by the extent to which they are surrounded by a culture of fast food outside the gates. What message are young people getting when there are more fast food outlets in their area than shops?"

"To change this fast food culture we need to change both attitudes and the physical environment - the government needs to introduce planning guidance for the location of fast food outlets and we must ensure that parents and children know the impact that eating from take-aways can have on their health."

The report also calls for the establishment of healthy eating schemes, partnership working with fast food outlets to improve food labelling and to introduce healthy eating options, and rebalancing of food marketing and promotion to reduce children's exposure to unhealthy options.

Kay Eilbert, senior public health strategist at Tower Hamlets PCT, says:

"This research has provided valuable evidence for public health to take forward a series of interventions to address the issues around unhealthy food provision across the borough. We plan to pilot schemes to support local food outlets to provide healthier options through an award scheme and business advice to stimulate change."

Dr Caraher comments:

"It is particularly important that we address unhealthy eating habits in young people as even three meals eaten from fast food outlets each week can account for up to 25 per cent of your estimated average requirement for energy for the whole week as well as being high in saturated fat and salt."

Chartered Institute of Environmental Health London Policy Officer Tay Potier says:

"This study is clear evidence that healthy school meals alone will not stop the rising tide of obesity. Local authorities should use all powers at their disposal to protect the health of the communities they serve - even if this means restricting access so that fast food outlets cannot be opened next to schools."

Notes

1. The research was conducted in two phases. The first focussed on children and schools and involved surveying areas around schools to determine children's behaviours and spending patterns. This included feedback from pupils in a number of schools. The second phase examined how families use, and ordered in, fast food outlets and it included taking food samples from a range of fast food outlets/ and comparing the food available in fast food outlets to the food available from local shops.

2. Tower Hamlets PCT

Tower Hamlets PCT commissions health services for the people of Tower Hamlets from hospital and mental health trusts, from voluntary and community organisations and others that provide care and advice.

The PCT assesses local health needs, considers public health issues and works to improve the health of the community. This is done in partnership with Tower Hamlets Council, community organisations and other members of the Tower Hamlets Partnership.

3. City University London

City University London is a principal provider of undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and vocational education in the United Kingdom. The University is committed to leading London in education, research and knowledge transfer for businesses and the professions and is renowned for its international focus and the employability of its graduates.

The University teaches across a range of subjects in arts including journalism and music, informatics, social sciences, engineering and mathematical sciences, business, law, health and community sciences.

The University attracts over 23,000 students from 156 countries, while teaching staff are drawn from nearly 50 international locations, ensuring that the University has a truly international outlook.

Source
Kerry Jack
Head of Communications & Events
City University London
Northampton Square
London EC1V 0HB
http://www.city.ac.uk