Australian kids are consuming more than two serves of fatty food and at least one sugary drink each day, causing their waistlines to expand, according to a new study.
The report also found that, for each unhealthy snack or drink consumed by children, there is an increase in their BMI score.
The Deakin University study used data from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), which examined more than 4000 children at ages four to 10.
It found that six-year-olds consumed 1.4 serves of sugary drinks a day and 1.9 serves of fatty foods such as hamburgers, hot chips, potato chips, doughnuts, cake or chocolate.
At 10 years, this increased to 1.5 serves per day for sugary drinks, such as cordial, soft drinks and fruit juice, and 2.5 serves of fatty foods.
Dr Lynne Millar of Deakin University's WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention said consuming snack foods has become "normalised" for children.
"I didn't think kids on average would eat that much unhealthy food," she said.
"I thought they may have days when they'd just have fruit, vegetables and meat and other healthy food, rather than snack food each day."
For each drink or high fat food consumed, the children's BMI-z score (a standardised BMI measure used specifically with children) increased by 0.015 and 0.014 units respectively.
"While the increases may seem low, they are cause for concern," said Dr Millar.
A normal BMI-z score would be zero, while a score of above one is considered overweight and above two obese, she said.
One in four Australian children are overweight or obese and this issue is more than an individual's responsibility, she said.
"It's about providing a healthy environment for a chid and making it easier for them to eat healthy food and be healthy people."
Share
