50 per cent of children don’t consume vegetables, survey finds: According to a recent survey by BBC’s Newsround, more than 50 per cent of children do not eat any vegetables.

50 per cent of children don’t consume vegetables, survey finds

As it stands, the government recommends that everybody should eat a minimum of five portions of fruit and vegetables per day. The findings are particularly concerning as one third of UK children are either obese or overweight, a figure which has increased by 300% over the last 25 years.

The survey – which questioned 1,432 UK children, aged between 7 and 12 – also found that children eat unhealthy food more than 3 times per week, with just under 22 per cent consuming sweets and chocolate each day.

Of the respondents, 57 per cent claimed that their diet is healthy, and a further 21 per cent believe their diet is very healthy. The findings also showed that just under a quarter (23 per cent) of children consume fast food more than 3 times a week.

When looking at how children eat their meals, it was found that just 47 per cent eat a home cooked meal every day. Just half of the respondents said that they sit down to eat as a family.

However, the survey did find that 80 per cent of children have made positive steps towards improving their diet, with many children drinking more water and consuming more fruit and vegetables.

Food expert, Dr Radha Modgil said of the findings: “It’s important for kids to have a balanced diet. No one is saying that you can’t have sweets or chocolate every now and again but if you’re having those things every day it is going to affect your body.”

“The body needs all kinds of things when you’re growing up and it’s so important for kids not to overload on sugary, fatty snacks.”