Children's Diet (Hansard, 18 May 2004)

§ Miss Melanie Johnson

The latest Health Survey for England (2002) provides data on the percentage of children who eat five or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day. The tables show the percentages for each age, which for children aged five to 15 average 11 per cent. of boys and 12 per cent. of girls.

In a National Opinion Poll survey in October 2003 regarding the impact of the National School Fruit Scheme, over a quarter of parents reported that their children and families ate more fruit at home after their child's school joined the scheme; and nearly half of all parents thought the scheme has made them more aware of the importance of fruit for a healthy diet.

Percentage of children aged between five and 15 years who consume five or more portions of fruit and vegetables per day— England, 2001–02
Age	Males	Females
5	11	10
6	10	8
7	9	11
8	9	11
9	10	9
10	11	11
11	12	13
12	12	13
13	12	12
14	15	13
15	16	14
Total	11	12

951W

Percentage of young people aged 16 to 19 years who consume five or more portions of fruit and vegetables per day
Age	Males	Females
16	13	14
17	15	16
18	13	16
19	13	18
Total	15	18
Note:
The figures are based on combined data from 2001 and 2002.
Sources:
National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) Health Survey for England 2002, the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and the Royal Free and University College Medical School: Volume 1 —The Health of Children and Young People.