New report that came out today in UK media says that most children are not aware of the negative impact of junk food. This raise the question of educating our children to be more aware of the negative impact that can come with fast junk food and not following healthy eating habits. Parents and school teachers have a big responsibility to play in this education. Regulators should make it harder for junk food wending machines to be present in schools and educational establishments.
The report from the British Heart Foundation reads ‘Looks before health’ say Britain’s junk food generation.
The majority of Britain’s youngsters are unaware of the devastating effects eating junk food can have, according to a British Heart Foundation (BHF) survey published today. It revealed that seven out of ten children (73%) were unaware that a shortened life was the worst consequence of eating badly (1).
Nearly half (45%) of all eight to 15-year-olds thought the most dangerous side effects of eating junk food were to make them put on weight, cause their teeth to rot, give them spots or make them unpopular.
The heart charity released the new survey results as it launched its latest Food4Thought initiative and its innovative new online game – the Yoobot - to help children to make informed and healthier food choices.
Latest predictions show that two thirds of all children will be overweight or obese by 2050 and today’s youngsters may be the first generation to live shorter lives than their parents (2). Almost a third (31%) of 10 and 11 year olds are currently over weight or obese (3).
But the majority of children are oblivious to the impact obesity could have on their lives with more than half (56%) predicting they will live to be over 80 and one in ten (11%) believing they will live to more than 100.
To get children thinking about their health the BHF has today unveiled the Yoobot - its latest weapon in the fight against childhood obesity. The Yoobot is an online game (yoobot.co.uk) which allows children to play with their future, helping them understand the long term effects of a poor diet.
Users create their own Yoobot - a mini version of themselves that they can personalise with an uploaded photograph. The choices they make for their Yoobot from the food it eats, to the exercise it does, have a direct impact upon the lifespan and wellbeing of their mini-me. The Yoobot has many appealing and not-so appealing habits – from break dancing to breaking wind.
The Yoobot doesn't just live on the website, it talks to its creator throughout the day using SMS and e-mail. It will complain if it's hungry, ask for junk food and generally make itself a part of the user’s life.
BHF Director of Prevention and Care Mike Knapton said: “Today’s junk food generation can’t see beyond the burger box. They are missing the fact that eating unhealthily can have dire consequences on their long-term health.
“The Yoobot is an innovative way for children to explore the effects of eating a diet of junk food. The clock is ticking on the obesity time bomb and it is now more important than ever for children to be educated enough to take control of their diets.”
Ryan Bolton, 11 from Walsall said: “I know that eating junk food can give you spots and make you put on weight but I’m not really bothered about anything else. The future is too far off to worry about it.”
The Food4Thought campaign is backed by Hollyoaks’ stars Matt Littler and Darren Jeffries who played Max and OB in the popular soap. They said:
"We all enjoy a takeaway or treat from time to time but they shouldn’t be a part of your daily diet. It’s a scary fact that the kids of today don’t seem aware of the impact obesity could have on their long term health.
“The Yoobot is a great way to fast forward into the future and see the effect eating unhealthily can have on you. We’re joining the fight against childhood obesity."
To join the Yoobot revolution go to yoobot.co.uk
For more information, please contact the BHF press office on 020 7554 0164 or 07764 290381 (out of hours) or email newsdesk@bhf.org.uk
(1) BHF TNS Survey of 1,100 UK children, 24 October 2008.
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from TNS. Total sample size was 1,100 UK children aged 8-15. Fieldwork was undertaken between 17 October 2008 and 24 October 2008. This survey was carried out online.
(2) Tackling Obesity: Future Choices, Foresight Report, October 2007
(3) The National Child Measurement Programme 2006/2007
· The BHF is leading the battle against heart and circulatory disease – the UK’s biggest killer. The charity is a major funder and authority in cardiovascular research. It plays an important role in education, both of the public and of health professionals, and in providing life-saving cardiac equipment and support for rehabilitation and care.
Reported by British Heart Foundation.
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