Going Hungry: The Struggle To Eat Healthily On A Low Income Report

EDM number 1425 in 2003-04, proposed by Martin Caton on 30/06/2004.

That this House notes the publication of the National Children's Home (NCH) Report, Going Hungry: the struggle to eat healthily on a low income; is concerned that whilst the NCH research revealed only a minority of children from low income families eating vegetables regularly, it showed 50 per cent. of the same children drinking sugary drinks and 43 per cent. eating crisps most days; notes the finding that children's food preferences are influenced by the marketing of less healthy foods and the linking of some products with celebrities and cartoon characters; recognises that last year the food industry spent ú252 million on advertising fast food, pre-sugared breakfast cereal, confectionery, savoury snacks and fizzy drinks on television; is alarmed that some parents still do not have sufficient funds to provide their children with a nutritionally adequate diet; understands that in these circumstances many parents are often persuaded to purchase unhealthy products because they know their children will eat them and they will 'fill them up'; calls on the Government to develop a national strategy and action plan for ending food poverty and encouraging healthy eating as part of its drive to improve public health and end child poverty; and further calls on the Food Standards Agency to work with food manufacturers and retailers to reduce levels of salt, sugar and fat in food aimed at children.

This motion has been signed by a total of 56 MPs.