'poor Children Are Overweight' - Emily Thornberry Defends Free School Meal Plan

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39544692

I have to agree with her here. When you look at photos taken of poverty in Britain in the 1930's, you see painfully thin children. But now, the poorer you are, the fatter you are likely to be.

[Mamyalynne]

Yes.

[emmie]

so it would seem, blame the takeaway, throwaway society we have become.

[emmie]

Labour says its proposals would be funded by VAT on private school fees.

[hereIam]

Probably because the Mums can only afford to fed them cheap junk food ...

[Islay]

A lot of people no longer know how to cook healthy cheap food, when I was at school I took home ec, my mother and grandmother also taught me, I believe this no longer happens.

[Zacs-Master]

'Labour says its proposals would be funded by VAT on private school fees.'

Typical Labour rubbish.

[donny48]

I can produce a good nutritious meal for no more than junk food prices.

[Sqad]

Islay has a good point..........good food IS cheap, it is the "junk food " that tends to be expensive.
If you are fat and overweight but from a poor family it is the fault of the parents......not the state.

[mazie]

Agree with Islay. Youngster should be taught home Economics at School. Yesterday I purchased a tray of 12 pork chops for £4.75 from asda. Every supermarket now has a selection of fruit and veg for 50p. Learning how to make them into nutritious meals is what's needed. We should start a Nana web where the older folk go round and show the young ones how to cook, Maybe?

[mikey4444]

Its a common misconception that you have to be wealthy to afford good, healthy food. My Mum had very little money when I and my brothers were kids in the 60's, but could do wonders with a pound of mince and some potatoes. Likewise with fruit, to make apple pies for afters. I am no slim Jim these days, but we were certainly not obese when we were kids.

Another aspect of this is table manners. My sister-in-law is a dinner lady at her local primary school, and says that its obvious which children come to school that haven't sat up a table properly to eat meals, as they seems to want to wander around the dining room at school.

I am constantly amazed at so many people not having proper table and chairs in ther houses these days.

[Zacs-Master]

I thought Mary Berry did that? ;-)

[emmie]

i did home economics but can't recall how much i actually learnt at school, the fact is much is passed down from parents, and if they can't or won't cook then how do you expect the children to know or to learn.

[mazie]

Agree emmie. The number of trollies I see in the local supermarkets packed to the top with microwave burgers and ready meals is unbelievable. The kids think it's how food should be served.

[mikey4444]

People have much more disposable income these days, then our family did 50 years ago, so they can afford to spend their money on fat-laden, unhealthy food.

[mikey4444]

McDonalds should take some of the blame here. They introduced the concept of a "Happy Meal", which used to be called snacks years ago. But at least they get to sit down and eat, even if it is with their fingers !

[Mamyalynne]

Agree with most of the above and will add to that an increase in portion sizes and a distinct lack of outdoor activity and for the poorer children less after school activities.

A certain apathy sets in , with a reduction in an attempt to try to improve.

A vicious cycle.

[Islay]

Part of the GCSE for home ec was how to manage a budget and meal plan around it. I have just made a veggie beef stew packed with frozen veg as it was in the freezer and quorn, huge saucepan that cost £4.95 to make it will make 8 normal portion at 62p a portion or 20 bariatric portions at 25p all that is needed now is some potatoes.

[Prudie]

I think there are a lot of factors that contribute to this not least that back 'then' it was unusual for mothers to be out at work all the time, there were nowhere near so many single parent families who have to cope alone and the availability of snacks, sweets and sugary drinks was not everywhere 24/7. Plus walking to school, far more PE/Games sessions etc must have all had some effect on general metabolism.

[Islay]

Disagree mikey Mcdonalds provide a service.
You can have a 'treat' meal that's not the issue the problem is parents thinking it is ok to serve this food all the time - you can't blame the restaurant for that!

[cassa333]

Oh Mikey I am agreeing with you here.

I am a lunch time leader in primary infant school and it is shocking how many can't sit to a table, eat with knife and fork (or with their mouth shut) and eat. We have to teach them basic table manners.

They get a choice of three school meal options or bring their own packed lunch and they still won't eat it.

I lament the huge slump in standards. I wonder how these children are going to teach their own one day if they have had such poor role models at home themselves.

It can be said also that it seems the ones in lower income families are the worst. We have also noticed it is the parents that don't give a toss about any standard. That rubs off on the children.

One time a yr F was asked to try his carrots. His reply was "What do you think I am a ***g rabbit".