§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many reported cases there have been of malnutrition in children in the last five years;
(2) what steps she is taking to ensure that children are getting their recommended daily calorie intake.
§ Mr. SackvilleMalnutrition is a term which covers a wide variety of single or combined deficiencies of nutrients and/or energy, none of which are notifiable. Current surveillance does not indicate that, on average, children in the United Kingdom are malnourished in terms of any specific nutrient or energy.
Estimated average requirements for the daily calorie intakes appropriate for those aged 0 to 18 years in the United Kingdom are set out by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy in its report on Dietary Reference Values published in 1991. A copy is available in the Library.
Improved surveillance, through the Government-funded national study of health and growth and the national diet and nutrition survey programme, will provide more detailed information on children's health status in relation to energy and nutrient intake.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure that all children and their parents are aware of what constitutes a healthy and balanced diet.
§ Mr. SackvilleWithin the national curriculum, the science order for each key stage covers diet and nutrition in the context of personal health. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Health are contributing funds to the production of a comprehensive education pack "Food—A Fact Of Life" which the British Nutrition Foundation is producing for use in schools.
The Health Education Authority (HEA) provides information and advice on healthy eating to the public through its publications and local and national campaigns. In addition the Government have produced "Eight Guidelines for a Healthy Diet" as well as a range of booklets in the "Food Sense" series, copies of which are available in the Library.
The nutrition task force set up under "The Health of the Nation" as a partnership between Government and key outside organisations is currently considering action to improve and target advice on healthy eating and weight control for all population groups.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure that children who have parents on a low income have access to a healthy and balanced diet; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleA healthy and balanced diet can be achieved in a variety of ways and need not be more expensive than the current average diet. Children whose parents are in receipt of income support are entitled to free school meals and the welfare food scheme continues to provide a nutritional safeguard for children in low-income families.