Paper Topic:

The Perception of fruit and Vegetable portion sizes amongst Primary 6 pupils compared to their knowledge

Introduction

According to the Health Education Population Survey (HEPS 1996-2003 , there is substantial evidence of the effectiveness of healthy eating campaigns put in place over the last eight years . The proportion of people aware of the recommended daily consumption of at least five fresh fruit and vegetables portions rose significantly from 19 in 1996 to 59 in 2003 (NHS Scotland ,

.3 . However , four in ten adults are still not aware of the 5-a-day recommendation and this reflects on children who need to be made aware of the importance of healthy

food choices . The Scottish Health Survey (2003 ) revealed that children aged 5-15 consumed just an average of 2 .6 portions a day . Only 12 achieved the recommended daily amount and , sadly , 12 consumed at all (The Food and Health Strategy Group , 2008 ,

. 30 . These results suggest there is still considerable scope for further research and improvement

Research (The Scottish Office , 1996 , sec . 6 .27 ) into schools show that , although pupils have a fair understanding of healthy eating , they are ineffective in applying the knowledge in practice . Advertising fads , peers and role models easily influence children . Easy access to unhealthy products high in fat , salt and sugar such as school vending machines and tuck shops deter children from making healthy choices

According to new research carried out by Dairy Farmers of Britain one in ten children think tomato ketchup counts as one of their 5-a-day fruit and veg portions (DFB 2007 ,

.1 . This succinct example of how children today perceive healthy eating provides the basis for this research . The number of children eating ready meals , take aways and unhealthy packed lunches have laid the foundation for an alarmingly obese UK population and recent years have seen the trusted school dinners come under close scrutiny for their unhealthy content . The insufficient consumption of fruit and vegetables is thought to contribute to 31 of

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ischaemic heart diseases and 11 of strokes . With such serious health risks awaiting the young generation there is now much being done in Scotland and the UK to completely revise how children eat both at home and at school

The striking results obtained by the survey carried out by the Dairy Farmers of Britain in June 2007 has shown the reality of children 's eating habits as well as how they actually see their food Their campaign , called Grass is Greener , includes a thorough look into children 's understanding of healthy eating and the survey consisted of a sample of over 1 ,000 children aged between 8 and 15 who were asked what they thought could be included in a 5-a-day . They revealed a concerning lack of knowledge about what goes into 5-a-day , but their eating habits were also seen to be linked to where they lived . The key findings of the survey were as follows (DFB 2007 ,

.2 Almost one in four (22 ) did not include fruit smoothies One in five (18 ) failed to recognise frozen peas as a healthy vegetable One...

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