There has been a lot of media interest in the question of children's diet and the resulting effect on health. The British Medical Association in a report (Preventing childhood obesity, 2005) estimates that by 2020 25% of children will have a shorter life expectancy than their children. Jamie Oliver got a lot of attention for the disgraceful state of school dinners. A lot of attention has been given to junk food such as the film "Supersize me".
The Soil Association has widened the net further by testing children's menus at popular family restaurants and tourist destinations. It makes pretty grim reading. A few key points:
- not one chain passed the fat and sugar tests
- an average meal at Nando's had eight teaspoons of added sugar
- an average meal at TGI Friday's had double the school meal maximum saturated fat allowance
- half the restaurant chains failed to provide a minimum amount of fruit or vegetables
- 'as much as you like' ice cream and fizzy drink promotions are widespread
- the restaurant chains do not source local fresh food
- they simply reheat frozen ready meals
- hot dogs burgers and chips dominate the children's offering at tourist destinations.
It was not all bad. Center Parcs, the National Trust and the chain Leon were rated as providing affordable, healthy meals based on well sourced, fresh ingredients that were actually prepared on site. However most of the places assessed appear no more healthy than the classic junk food brands.
2006-12-01 @ 12:53