Children who eat too many takeaways ‘may face greater heart disease risk’

A new study has indicated that eating too many takeaways may increase children's risk of developing heart disease in later life.

Research from St George's, University of London has indicated that takeaway food contains too many calories and too few vitamins and minerals compared to home-cooked food, potentially putting the health of younger children at risk.

Nearly 2,000 ethnically diverse nine and ten-year-olds from 85 primary schools in London, Birmingham and Leicester were involved in this study, which saw them questioned about their usual diets, including the source of their meals, and how often they ate takeaways.

Skinfold thickness, body fat composition and cholesterol all tended to be higher in regular consumers of takeaways, suggesting these individuals are not getting the nutrition they need for optimum heart health.

Dr Angela Donin, a lecturer in epidemiology at the Population Health Research Institute at St George's, University of London, said: "We need to consider the food environment in our neighbourhoods and improve the healthy food options that are available, which are both quick and affordable for families."

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