News

One in four secondary school children say they start the day without breakfast and 65% of children aged 5-16 years are not drinking enough, according to research conducted by the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF).

The survey was conducted as part of BNF’s Healthy Eating Week 2015 and over 8,800 school children from across the UK took part.

The data shows that 24% of secondary school children and 14% of their teachers did not have breakfast on the day of the survey, despite widespread knowledge of the importance of breakfast.

12% of secondary school children admit to eating breakfast only when they feel like it.

Breakfast appears to play a larger role in primary school children’s diets, with 92% of 5-11 year olds having breakfast every day, although a quarter said that they did not have a drink.

Roy Ballam, education programme manager at BNF, said: “This research provides a valuable annual barometer of the knowledge and behaviour of children and their teachers in relation to food, healthy eating and lifestyle. 

“Children need enough food and water to enable them to play an active part in school life and achieve their potential, and these results show that many young people are potentially unable to perform to the best of their ability, or take an active part in school life.”

The survey also found that 66% of primary school children and 65% of secondary school pupils are consuming less than six drinks each day, when the recommended daily amount is 6-8 (1.5-2L).

The British Nutrition Foundation is a registered charity and provides evidence-based information on food and nutrition.

Healthy Eating Week has been developed by the British Nutrition Foundation and is this year supported by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (DairyCo), Danone, The National Farmers Union, KP Snacks, Associated British Foods, Capespan and Seafish.