Welsh Children Consuming More Junk Food, Survey Shows

Welsh Children Consuming More Junk Food, Survey Shows: Almost one third of Welsh children consumed sweets and other junk food on a daily basis in 2013, according to figures released in the Welsh Health Survey.

Three in 10 (29%) children admitted to eating sweets every day – a 2% increase on the previous study’s figure – with crisps, chips and soft drinks increasing across the board too.

Welsh Children Consuming More Junk Food - Education Market Research

Welsh Children Consuming More Junk Food According To New Survey

However, despite Welsh children’s increased junk food consumption, more youngsters are said to be eating more fruit and vegetables than they were previously.

In 2012, 58.8% of Welsh children said they ate fruit every day, and this figure rose to 60.3% in 2013. Similarly, vegetable intake increased from 2012 (50.4%) to 2013 (53.1%) too.

Furthermore, the number of Welsh youngsters who meet the recommended five or more exercise sessions a week has also improved, rising from 50.5% in 2012 to 51.6% in 2013.

The survey also analysed Welsh adults’ lifestyle, and discovered that almost six in 10 (58%) were classed as overweight or obese and that one third (34%) were not physically active at all.

Just over one quarter (26%) of the adults questioned said they binge drink, with more than four fifths (42%) admitting to drinking more than the suggested daily guidelines at least once in the past week.

Nearly three in 10 (28%) Welsh adults said they consume alcohol one or twice a week, with around one in 20 (6%) drinking almost every day.

And, finally, the study revealed that more than seven in 10 of its adult participants were currently being treated for some form of medical illness, ranging from high blood pressure (20%) and respiratory illnesses (14%), to arthritis (12%), mental illnesses (12%), heart conditions (8%) and diabetes (7%).

Dr Richard Lewis, Welsh Secretary of the British Medical Association, said: “These figures are encouraging. The children of today are the parents of the future, so if we can promote healthy eating habits in young people we will reap the benefits in years to come.

“With the health budget being squeezed year on year the challenge is to reduce the consumption of sweets, crisps and soft drinks by children.”

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