Diane Abbott MP, the Shadow Public Health Minister, warns of a teen girls’ ticking time bomb following the release of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey results.

She said today (21st July):

‘This survey reveals a worrying situation in relation to adolescent girls and nutrition. The official recommendation is that we should all eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. But girls aged 11 – 18 are eating less than 3 portions a day. This is less than boys of the same age and much less than adults. Only 7% of teenage girls are eating the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables. And this is at a key stage in their development. We know that poor nutrition in teenage girls can create problems in pregnancy and a greater likelihood of underweight babies. We also know that poor nutrition underlies a number of chronic conditions including hypertension, diabetes and cancer. Experts say that nearly a quarter of cancer deaths are caused by poor nutrition.

‘The crisis in teenage nutrition makes it all the more shocking that the government is developing its public health programme hand in glove with soft drinks companies, fast food retailers and the big retailers. This is notably the case with the notorious “responsibility deals”. It is ridiculous for government to argue that companies like Mars, McDonalds, PepsiCo and Pizza Hut should write the government’s health policies. They have no interest in young people eating more fruit and vegetables. They make their profits peddling sweets, fizzy drinks and processed foods. And they spend billions world-wide promoting these things, particularly to young people.

‘Now their own survey has revealed the crisis in teenage nutrition, I am calling on the Department of Health to review their relationship with the confectionary, food and drink manufacturers that are damaging our children’s health.’

The diet and nutrition and survey is available here: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/PublishedSurvey/ListOfSurveySince1990/Surveylistlifestyle/DH_128165

2) Details of Change4Life funding: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10541190 , http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/jul/07/andrew-lansley-change4life-obesity and http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/jun/05/healthy-oven-chips-get-government-go-ahead

3) Responsibility deals: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/mar/15/lansley-health-strategy-flounders-refuse

We are sure you would like to comment, please click below {jcomments on}