Food choices & weight control
Young People into 2006
Comments below have been made by:
DR = Dr. David Regis, Research Manager
"The figures that have always attracted most attention here have been those related to the very high proportion of young women who want to lose weight – nearly 60% this year. We have been able to relate this desire to low self-esteem and general anxiety about their appearance. In their behaviour, we find these female pupils who want to lose weight are more likely to skip breakfast or lunch, and to eat a calorie-conscious diet – but it's certain that most of these young women do not need to lose weight." "We would like to add our voice to those who wish to see a much greater variety of body shapes presented positively in print and other media." Dr. David Regis, Research Manager.
Breakfast
30% of the 14-15 year old females and 22% of the 14-15 year old males had nothing at all to eat for breakfast ‘this' morning. (p.2)
Lunch
21% of the 14-15 year old females ate no lunch on their previous day at school. (p.3)
Breakfast & Lunch
36% of the 14-15 year old females who had nothing to eat at breakfast ‘this' morning (on the morning of the survey) had nothing to eat at lunch the previous day at school. (p.3).
Females are more likely than males to take health into account when choosing what to eat. 24% of the 14-15 year old males say they 'never' consider their health when choosing what to eat. (p.12)
56% of 14-15 year old females and 55% of the 12-13 year old females ‘would like to lose weight’. The proportion of the 14-15 year old females who missed breakfast and lunch and ‘would like to lose weight’ is around 25%. 21% of older males and 15% of older females were 'overweight' using Height/Weight data. (p.4 & 7).
Comments below have been made by:
DR = Dr. David Regis, Research Manager
"The figures that have always attracted most attention here have been those related to the very high proportion of young women who want to lose weight – nearly 60% this year. We have been able to relate this desire to low self-esteem and general anxiety about their appearance. In their behaviour, we find these female pupils who want to lose weight are more likely to skip breakfast or lunch, and to eat a calorie-conscious diet – but it's certain that most of these young women do not need to lose weight." "We would like to add our voice to those who wish to see a much greater variety of body shapes presented positively in print and other media." Dr. David Regis, Research Manager.
Breakfast
30% of the 14-15 year old females and 22% of the 14-15 year old males had nothing at all to eat for breakfast ‘this' morning. (p.2)
Lunch
21% of the 14-15 year old females ate no lunch on their previous day at school. (p.3)
Breakfast & Lunch
36% of the 14-15 year old females who had nothing to eat at breakfast ‘this' morning (on the morning of the survey) had nothing to eat at lunch the previous day at school. (p.3).
"We expect that at least some meal-skipping is done because they want to lose weight or avoid putting it on – but this can't be the best way of achieving those goals." – DRHealthy eating
Females are more likely than males to take health into account when choosing what to eat. 24% of the 14-15 year old males say they 'never' consider their health when choosing what to eat. (p.12)
"Are these boys fed up with dietary advice or just think it's a girls' thing? It’s often said that advice about diet is often contradictory and changing, but we don't think the core advice to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables has altered at all." – DRWeight
56% of 14-15 year old females and 55% of the 12-13 year old females ‘would like to lose weight’. The proportion of the 14-15 year old females who missed breakfast and lunch and ‘would like to lose weight’ is around 25%. 21% of older males and 15% of older females were 'overweight' using Height/Weight data. (p.4 & 7).
"We don't want to be complacent about the problem of obesity, but far more young people are unhappy with their weight than there is any medical need to be." – DR
Food choices
(The following comments apply to dietary items consumed 'on most days'.) Over 58% of older pupils have dairy products. Females, from 10-15 years, show a greater preference for fresh fruit, salads and vegetables. Data since 1987 reveal a slight downward trend in those choosing crisps and in 2005 35% of 14-15 year olds eat crisps 'on most days'. (p. 8-11)
What the media said:
Daily Telegraph
Daily Mail