Teenagers' lunchboxes packed with junk

PARENTS are packing their teenagers' lunchboxes with less healthy foods once they reach their teens, a fresh study of eating habits has shown.

The research carried out by the Market Research Bureau of Ireland found that while children under 10 eat nutritious food, a large percentage of teens eat fattening lunches. Researchers found that seven out of 10 children of all ages bring healthy homemade sandwiches to school.

The majority of children are also given fruit, fruit juices and yoghurts whey they leave for school each morning. But parents are giving twice as many savoury snacks like crisps, buns and cakes to teenagers.