Children’s nutritional health in Bradford – 2007

Ann Hobbis

Nutritional issues in Bradford’s children

Over and underweight

Nutritional deficiencies – 363 children identified as Vit D deficient by opportunistic screening 2000 – 2004

40% children under 4 in City PCT anaemic

Distribution of bmi in year 6 children

Ethnicity and Weight:

South Asian children are slightly more likely to be underweight or obese than non South Asian children.

dental health - Regional figures

What are children eating?

National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2000)

Irregular meal pattern
“Grazing” or snacking behaviour
Fat, sugar and salt
Processed foods
Carbonated /caffeinated beverages

Food Poverty and access to fresh food

Inequalities in amount spent on fresh fruit and vegetables by income and number of children in household
Inequalities in the amount eaten
Access to shops and use of car
Affordability
Skills and motivation

Health / Education Service-led interventions

Community development
Community skills and training
Community – led project support
Healthy Start:

• Five-a-day
• Healthy School Standards / Food in Schools
• School Travel plans
• Schools in Action

Scourge of the fizzy drinks

Epidemiological evidence
Cohort evidence
Prospective intervention evidence
Clinical trial evidence
Proposed physiological mechanism regarding satiety

“The world is full of thirsty people. They satisfy that thirst approximately 50 billion times daily. Today, they reach for our beverages only 1.3 billion times. That’s our opportunity.”

Coca Cola Company Annual Review 2005

last updated 12/03/07