CPAG response to MPs' report on obesity

'School meals should be at the front-line of fight against obesity', claims leading charity
27.05.04

Responding to today's (27th May 2004) report from cross-party MPs on obesity, leading children's charity the Child Poverty Action Group's Ashley Riley said:

'Today's report on obesity must be an alarm call for the government to take urgent action. That action should be in schools - where the front line in the battle against obesity begins.'

CPAG is the leading national campaigning organisation on the take-up of good-quality school meals and sees these as a fundamental part of children's diets, and one where government can intervene to improve nutrition.

'One in three students entitled to free school meals does not take up their meal, particularly because of stigma. Today's report shows that the meal on offer is not always of the quality children have a right to expect. Schools and government can intervene successfully to improve take-up and they must also ensure that the meal on offer is of the highest quality.'

'School meals play an important role in tackling disadvantage by promoting good nutrition and promoting healthy eating. The government's minimum nutritional standards do not stop some schools providing meals that are contributing to bad diets.'

'A well-balanced, healthy nutritious meal for all primary school children would be a major step forward in attacking obesity. While schools continue to allow vending machines to give a diet of coke and crisps, or in one area children having a school lunch in a local pub, the problems highlighted in today's report will continue,' he said.

Notes for editors

The Child Poverty Action Group is a leading voice on research and work that's looks into the provision of school meals. In 2001 it published research that showed a third of children do not take their free school meal because of stigma and bullying. For more information on this and CPAG's work on school meals visit the campaigns section of the CPAG website, www.cpag.org.uk.

CPAG will be publishing A Recipe for Change: A a good practice guide to school meals this summer. The report will use examples from across the UK of where schools are providing healthy and good-quality school meals.

The Child Poverty Action Group is an independent charity working for the eradication of child and family poverty in the UK. We receive no government funding and rely on the support of individuals and organisations to support our vital work.

For further comments
Ashley Riley
Press Officer
Tel 020 7812 5216
Mobile 07811 324339
ariley@cpag.org.uk