UK Childhood Obesity battle helped by giving kids free meals?
GIVE POOR KIDS FREE MEALS IN SUMMER
Bid to cut child obesity
By Oonagh Blackman
NEARLY one million poor kids on summer holiday should get free healthy meals to stem soaring child obesity, says a new report.
Influential think-tank the Institute for Public Policy Research said more than 850,000 pupils from low-income families face weeks without support.
They fear families will turn to cheap junk food, fuelling rising rates of fat children.
The think-tank's Sue Stirling said: "Extending free meals to holiday clubs for the poorest children would help encourage good eating habits all year round and improve concentration and learning during term time.
"In the holidays, many poor children are eating cheaper and energy-dense food, but are being nutritionally deprived.
"We shouldn't be blaming poorer parents - we should be helping them meet the cost of healthy alternatives."
A recent survey by the Food Standards Agency found the poorest 15 per cent of the population eat less nourishing meals.
Parents struggling on low incomes are more likely to resort to cheaper food, piling on health problems for kids.
It is thought holiday clubs run by local schools and education authorities could provide healthy meals every day all summer at a cost of £40million.
The report will be sent to education and health ministers in a bid to encourage good eating habits among the poorest kids and stop them becoming severely overweight.
The think-tank have also found evidence of an alarming obesity gap in Britain.
Research shows almost one in five kids living in the most deprived areas are obese, compared with just under one in seven of those in well-off areas.
Local authorities must provide a free two-course meal for eligible pupils.
If parents have an annual income below £14,155 and get income support, jobseeker's allowance and child tax credit, their kids are entitled to free school meals.
UK Childhood Obesity