The promotion of healthy eating has always been present, however over recent years it has come to light more prominently following a rise in the number of obese children. Diets that are high in sugar and processed foods, along with unmonitored eating have seen overweight rates within children constantly increase from year to year, increasing the level of action that’s being taken to prevent it.
What the data shows
In the most recent years (from 2019-2020), the percentage of overweight and obese children aged 10-11 increased from 34% to 35%. In 2006, the percentage was just 2.4%. This shows that not only has the number of overweight children drastically increased in the last 15 years, but that it’s still increasing!
What’s being done and how’s it fuelling the health trend?
That’s where the ‘stomp out obesity’ trend sets in, to try and take control of this spiralling number of unhealthy children. The government have introduced an obesity strategy that looks to halve the number of obese children within the UK by 2030. The focus will be on encouraging individual behaviour change, product reformulation and limiting unhealthy food marketing.
Shops, restaurants, and cafes are now promoting their healthier foods more than ever, suggesting that people are now more aware of and focused on healthily nourishing themselves and their children. Organic shops and health food stores are also becoming more popular, having seen a 6.5% growth in recent years. And, what’s more is that the UK have announced a ban on all junk food advertising online, and before 9pm on TV, from 2023 onwards – a huge step in the right direction, showing that this trend is only going to strengthen over the coming years.
What does this mean for schools and food providers?
As this trend follows a scientific baseline for the health of the population, it’s going to be essential for all schools and food providers to join in. Unlike many other food-based trends, you can’t simply opt out of this one – it’s even enforced by law to a certain extent.
Nonetheless, everyone should want to be onboard with the healthy eating trend – so what should you focus on? The main aspects are to reduce any foods high in fat, sugar or salt and foods that are highly processed. By reducing this on your menus, you can provide people with healthier options that will help to keep children in better shape.
If you’re a school who are looking to provide more nutritional school meals for children, get in touch with us today! We have a wide range of healthy, tasty dishes that are guaranteed to give children the nutrition that they need.
