Families ditch fruit and veg when children are born
Families have a worse diet than singletons or childless couples. That’s the view of researchers at the University of Reading, who found adults without children ate 2kg (4lbs) more fruits and veg over the period of a fortnight.
Households containing children had a lower level of demand for fruit and vegetables and meat, and an increased demand for milk and dairy, cereals and potatoes.
The highest demand for your five-a-day is in London and the South East, with people in Scotland and Northern Ireland consuming the least greens.
Employed respondents consumed on average 3kg (6lbs) more fruit and veg per fortnight than unemployed people surveyed.
Researchers calculated that a difference in income of 10% can be expected to lead to a difference in demand for fruit and vegetables of around 500g.
"The dietary components that we have analysed have important implications for policy-makers in tackling diet-related chronic disease, which represents one of the most significant public health challenges of the 21st century," said Professor Richard Tiffin, who led the study.
“Targeted interventions are necessary in order to reduce the incidence of diet-related health problems in the future."
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Tags:
- family ,
- health ,
- healthy eating ,
- nutrition ,
- university of reading
