Survey confirms parents' diet fears
exercise as one of the top three things they worry about, and for 8
per cent this issue is their biggest cause for concern, according
to the findings of a recent UK survey.
The survey, carried out by The Engine House, a new international business consultancy specialising in healthcare, food and nutrition, found that 64 per cent of parents worry about their children's overall diet, and that 50 per cent have concerns about the amount of junk food their children consume.
Causing the most distress for 81 per cent of those questioned was the level of additives in children's diet, while the amount of sugar consumed was a major issue for 69 per cent of parents. Some 53 per cent of those surveyed said they were anxious about the calories in their children's diet.
The perennial problem of insufficient intake of fruit and vegetables concerned 44 per cent of parents, while the percentage said they were worried about the levels of vitamins and minerals being consumed. Around 25 per cent of those questioned said they were concerned that their children were not getting sufficient exercise.
But parents also appear to be well aware of which products are the most to blame for potentially damaging their children's healthy. Some 81 per cent of those surveyed said they limited the amount of carbonated drinks that their children drink, while 14 per cent said they banned them altogether.
"There is obviously a major opportunity for food and drink manufacturers to make healthier products for children which would be welcomed with open arms by the vast majority of parents," said Howard Barnes, managing director of The Engine House.
Barnes was previously European director of the functional foods and nutrition division of global healthcare conglomerate Johnson & Johnson and believes that a major shift in both public and government opinion is taking place.
"We recently saw the government intervening into advertising food to children in response to this issue and the fact that, according to the Food Standards Agency, one in 10 six-year-olds are obese."
Barnes continued: "There is a terrific future for companies that respond to this demand for healthier food and also for those that take advantage of the advances in functional food science."
