Kids substitute sugar for food - health officials concerned
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The snack counter at the Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu (SYK), a school in the north of Helsinki, is very busy. The pupils have a brief recess to buy a snack and eat it. For some, it may be more than three hours since the main school meal was served.
A study by the National Public Health Institute (KTL) and the Institute of Dentistry at the University of Oulu reveals that Finnish children in the upper grades do not get much vegetables, fruit, or rye bread. Instead, they eat large amounts of snacks that are high in sugar.
They do not eat enough school food, and often opt out of bread and other side dishes at the meal.
“It is not easy for young people to increase their intake of vegetables and fruit, if they are not available in the home”, says KTL research professor Pirjo Pietinen.
According to the study, young people have snacks such as candy, chocolate, musesli bars, ice cream, and sugary soft drinks.
SYK has separate snack recesses, during which pupils are allowed to buy something to nibble on at the cafeteria.
“We have a snack card which costs EUR 15, which is good for ten snacks. The snacks that can be paid for with the card can also be seen on the school’s website, so it is easy for parents to monitor what their children eat, in addition to the school meals”, says the school’s assistant headmaster Jukka Niiranen.
Tuesday’s snack meal included cereals, milk, and juice. In the study only one in four young people said that they were sure that they would be able to eat a healthy snack if unhealthy options are available.
Eighth-grader Viivi Koivu has a snack almost every day. There are healthy alternatives in the school’s selection.
“Sometimes I go to the city with my friends, for a snack. The food at school is generally good, and as a snack, crisp-bread is OK”, Koivu says.
Seventh-grader Leo Tavaila, who is eating cereal in the cafeteria, says that if the main course at lunch is something that he does not like, he can take more bread and less of the food. “I don’t buy soft drinks, because my mother won’t let me”, Tavaila laughs.
Professor Hannu Hausen of the University of Oulu says that there is room for improvement in the oral hygiene of Finnish young people.
“Substantial meals, avoiding sweet snacks, and water as a thirst quencher”, are Hausen’s main pieces of advice.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 21.5.2008 - TODAY |
 Kids substitute sugar for food - health officials concerned |
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