Nutrition, health and schoolchildren: an update

A new briefing paper recently published in the Nutrition Bulletin by the British Nutrition Foundation has carried out a detailed and comprehensive review of various aspects of the nutrition, lifestyle and health of schoolchildren from ages 5-to-18 years. The paper emphasises healthy eating and being physically active as particularly important for children and adolescents. 


The paper also comments on nutritional requirements and dietary intakes of children and adolescents in different age groups. These are investigated with an emphasis on nutrients of particular concern such as vitamin D and iron.


Concern is raised about the consequences of overweight and obesity being observed in children. Risk factors for related metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as oral and bone health, psychological problems and allergies are also discussed by the paper.


Food provided in schools has been identified as one way to improve the dietary habits of schoolchildren. Standards for food and drinks provided in schools are in place across all UK countries, with major improvements being achieved in many places. However, the factors affecting a child’s food choice are complex and encompass a range of influences such as advertising peer pressure; these are reviewed together with food provision in schools.


The position of food in the UK school curriculum and a range of health promotion initiatives directed towards improving children’s eating habits and lifestyles were also explored.


A summary of the Briefing Paper can be viewed for free here.
Online access to the article for approximately £27.00 can be obtained here.

Weichselbaum E and Buttriss J (2011) Nutrition, health and schoolchildren Nutrition Bulletin 36:295-355

Ethnic diets, health and food in the United Kingdom

Food – a fact of life is pleased to announce the launch of a new two-part video podcast series based on the topic of ethnic diets, health and food in the United Kingdom (UK). According to the latest census, non-white minority ethnic groups made up 7.9% of the UK’s population in 2001. The largest of these groups were South Asians, Black African-Caribbean and Chinese. The first video podcast explores the diet and health of the three largest ethnic groups in the UK. The second video podcast will investigate ethnic foods and ethnic style cuisine within the UK.   

The video podcasts are based on the following Briefing Paper and article:

Leung G and Stanner S (2011) Diets of minority ethnic groups in the UK: influence on chronic disease risk and implications for prevention Nutrition Bulletin 36:161-98.

Leung G (2010) Ethnic foods in the UK Nutrition Bulletin 35:226-34.

The first video podcast is available now. Registered Dietitian Azmina Govindji provides insight into the health status of these groups. The traditional diets South Asians, Black African-Caribbean and Chinese are also explored. Factors affecting food choice are also highlighted which include: income, socio-economic status, food availability and access, health, religion and dietary laws, food beliefs, amount of time available for food shopping or preparation, generation and gender.

The second video podcast on the topic of ethnic foods will be launched later in the year. This episode will look at different types of ethnic foods, market trends and some emerging issues.

Why not view the video podcast today? Food – a fact of life video podcasts can be accessed via two main routes:

Food – a fact of life website

British Nutrition YouTube channel