The European Parliament adopted a report which urges an expansion in the EU programme for distributing fruit and vegetables in schools. The aim is to encourage healthier eating habits in children and combat the obesity epidemic. MEPs would like to see more funding for the programme and they also suggest giving priority to local seasonal produce. The report was adopted with 586 votes in favour, 47 against and 41 abstentions.
In the European Union around 22 million children are overweight and more than 5 million are obese, mainly owing to excessive consumption of fatty, sweet or salty food. The World Health Organisation recommends consumption of at least 400g of fruit and vegetables per day for children under the age of 11.
On 25 September - parliament adopted an initiative report on the fight against obesity, in which it called for fruit and vegetables to be stocked in vending machines in schools and for school curricula to include information on balanced diets.
Interestingly, a preference for produce grown in Europe The report also calls for the practical arrangements for the programme to be clarified. MEPs say it should cover only fruit and vegetables produced within the EU. The fruit and vegetables should meet the highest quality standards and should preferably be seasonal varieties, grown locally. Priority should be given to sustainable production.
The report also suggests that the programme not only be restricted to school children in the 6-10 age group but should also be available to pre-school children. In addition, MEPs want the fruit to be accompanied by health and dietary advice in an appropriate style for children.
daveg
19 Nov 2008, 7:22 PM
Is this not a job for the parents really?
Nathan (Guest)
11 Dec 2008, 7:19 PM
I agree Daviey but parents have little control of their children's behavior nowadays especially with the influences of television and computers. Even DVD's have adverts for sweets on them so there is no escape really. fruit and veg are just not convenient enough for both the children, the parents or society.
Terry
3 Jan 2009, 8:57 PM
DavieyG - absolutely
Fruit and veg are just not convenient enough?????????? Have to disagree there Nathan - we leave a bowl of fruit out all the time and our two toddlers help themselves as and when they like - what could be more convenient? Similarly most vegetables can be eaten raw. We are wondering if it is possible for them to have too much fruit and vegetables??? We currently dont have a garden to grow our own so get everything from the shops as most do. On the other side of the coin my experience growing up was in very rural areas many miles from shops and we always had a veg patch going. I found the veg patch all too convenient as it was normally down to me to go out and pick what was required for the meal. As for parental control - dont buy sweets, biscuits, crisps etc, then the wee ones dont have the option. Granted, as they get older, they can buy their own - with pocket money, but then they have less money for games etc. decisions, decisions, decisions Not enough parents are willing to just say NO.
techywarlock
20 Jun 2009, 3:07 AM
I think exercise is the best and affordable option for people to stay healthy and clean-living. But we need to be cautious in doing exercises, we need take to consider our lifestyle, or better yet we are to consult our personal DR.
mil
25 Jun 2009, 12:35 PM
I have family in Italy and over there the children's attitude to food and diet is quite different than most 21st Century British kids. Right from day one they are taught of a relationship with their food....type of food, importance of mealtimes, and knowledge of the foods origin. Many who start school know umpteen names of fruit and vegetables (and meats etc), what they look like in 'real' (as opposed to the consmetic and bland looking sepcimens many here regard as the norm),how to grow, how to cook, store, preserve and the high social value of shared mealtimes. Food is not just a 'fill-me-up' or 'I-just-fancy-it'; it is a celebration of life which shows respect to the animals, fruit, veg, famers and cooks (mainly from scratch from mum!) Yes....things are changing over there...influence of the Internet and globalisation...but with a far stronger food-relationship ethic...the majority have hung on to the essence of food - life giving respect.
