Most teenage girls face a life of illness because they shun healthy food

Teenage girls are condemning themselves to a lifetime of ill health by eating fewer than three servings of fruit and vegetables every day.
They are also shunning meat, depriving themselves of essential nutrients such as iron, and eating far too much saturated fat.
Health officials warn that a generation of young girls faces the risk of illnesses in later life including cancer, heart disease, strokes and diabetes.
Just one in 13 teenage girls eats the recommended ‘five a day’ portions of fruit and vegetables, according to a report backed by the Department of Health.
Almost half do not eat enough iron, an essential nutrient found in red meat, nuts and some vegetables that helps fight infection.

And their diets are too high in saturated fat, which can lead to high levels of cholesterol causing strokes and heart attacks.
On average, saturated fat makes up 12.5 per cent of all food a teenage girl eats in a day, much higher than the Government guidelines of 11 per cent.
The UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey, which involved more than 2,000 adults and children, found that teenage girls’ diets were generally less healthy than boys.
Boys eat an average three portions of fruit and veg a day compared with 2.7 for girls.
Only 5 per cent of boys do not eat enough iron.
Experts warn that image-obsessed girls tend to skip school lunches and family meals to try to stay slim and depriving themselves of vegetables and meat.
But when they get hungry later they fill up on crisps and  chocolate bars which are high in saturated fat.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies warned that poor eating habits in childhood can increase problems in later life.
She said: ‘It is really important that teenagers eat a balanced diet – including eating five portions of fruit and veg a day. Eating well and being active can help prevent serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease later in life.’
Dr Frankie Phillips, independent nutrition consultant and registered dietician said: ‘Sadly it’s unsurprising that the survey reveals that teenage girls have a worse diet than their male counterparts as pressure on females to stay slim seems to be starting at an increasingly young age.

 

‘This focus on weight could be taking its toll on some of our vitamin and mineral intake, creating a nutritional gap which could lead to its own health issues in the future.’
The Government advises that everyone tries to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day to reduce the risk of  heart attacks, stroke, diabetes  and bowel cancer, one of the  commonest forms.
Not eating enough iron can lead to anaemia, which causes tiredness and reduces the body’s ability to fight off infection.
This is the first survey of its kind to try to establish the eating habits of teenagers and youngsters. Its findings are further evidence that youngsters’ diets are becoming increasingly unhealthy and higher numbers are becoming overweight.
One in four is now considered obese, twice as many compared with a decade ago.
Victoria Taylor, Senior Dietician at the British Heart Foundation, said: ‘Our teenage years are an important first opportunity to be responsible for our own food choices, so it’s worrying that so many in this age group are still not getting their five-a-day.

‘We already know childhood obesity figures increase as youngsters get older so it’s vital that we make sure healthy options are both appealing and affordable are available to young people.
‘While positive changes have been made to the provision of food in school, we need to take every opportunity to make sure children understand the importance of eating healthily and are given the chance to do so – both inside and outside the school gates.’
Almost half of girls have been on a diet before they reach the age of 14, a survey reveals.
And one in seven would consider taking slimming pills so they can lose weight as quickly as possible.
One in 20 admits they would take laxatives – commonly used by bulimia sufferers – to help shed the pounds.
A survey of 810 teenagers by the YMCA also found that a third of teenage girls want some form of cosmetic surgery.
One in seven want breast implants, one in ten want Botox and another one in ten would like a nose job.
The poll of teenagers – whose average age was 14 – also found one in ten boys would consider taking steroids to make themselves look more muscular.