Should we blame dads? A new study has found that young children are eating alarming quantities of ultra-processed foods and forming a habit that could last a lifetime
Toddlers are latest fast food victims
Should we blame dads? A new study has found that young children are eating alarming quantities of ultra-processed foods and forming a habit that could last a lifetime
"Hurry up with your breakfast or you'll be late for school!" scolds Sam and Martina's mother. She watches as Sam heaps sugar on his cereal and Martina spoons strawberry-flavoured yoghurt into her mouth. Then, she pops two slices of white bread into the toaster. That should set them up for the day!
In fact she is presiding over a breakfast disaster. None of the things her children are eating are good for them, and they will probably still feel hungry afterwards.
New research1 has found that young children get 47% of their caloriesThe amount of energy released when your body digests and absorbs food. The more calories a food has, the more energy it gives your body. from ultra-processed foods (UPFs). By the time they are seven, this rises to 59%.
The study was carried out by experts at University College London.
"Eating patterns in the early years are important, as they help set habits that can persist through childhood and into adulthood," says Professor Clare Llewellyn, who led the research.2
By the time they start primary school, 10% of children are obeseFor adults, obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more. A BMI of 25 or more is classed as overweight.. By the time they leave, almost 25% are.3
UPFs are foods which have been treated with chemicals, sweeteners, preservatives or colours. They are designed to be convenient, long-lasting, easy to transport and "hyper-palatable" - meaning that you can eat a lot of them.
They often contain large amounts of sugar, salt and saturated fatFats found in food such as butter, cheese and red meat. In large quantities they can lead to health problems such as heart disease.. Examples include crisps, cakes, biscuits, microwave-ready meals and pizzas.
Though eating these is bad for our health, we keep on buying them - not only because they taste good. They save time on cooking and are usually cheaper than proper food.
Writing in the I Paper, Lucy Mangan says men are partly to blame. This is because most of the work of feeding a family - planning, shopping, cooking - is done by women.
No wonder they choose food that does not need a lot of preparation - and that they know their children will like.
Should we blame dads?
Yes: The way to avoid UPFs is to cook proper meals, which is time-consuming and requires a lot of organisation. If men did their fair share, every family would be able to eat healthily.
No: We should blame ads, not dads. The large food corporations and supermarkets have spent so much money on brainwashing us into buying UPFs that we are almost powerless against them.
Or... Making sure school meals are healthy is vital in the battle against UPFs. If children are fed properly from their earliest years, they will develop the habit of eating food that is good for them.
Calories - The amount of energy released when your body digests and absorbs food. The more calories a food has, the more energy it gives your body.
Obese - For adults, obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more. A BMI of 25 or more is classed as overweight.
Saturated fat - Fats found in food such as butter, cheese and red meat. In large quantities they can lead to health problems such as heart disease.
Toddlers are latest fast food victims

Glossary
Calories - The amount of energy released when your body digests and absorbs food. The more calories a food has, the more energy it gives your body.
Obese - For adults, obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more. A BMI of 25 or more is classed as overweight.
Saturated fat - Fats found in food such as butter, cheese and red meat. In large quantities they can lead to health problems such as heart disease.