Young people ‘eating to look good’

CHILDREN are more concerned with eating to look good than for their health, according to a report on the attitudes of 10 to 14-year-olds on diet, nutrition and exercise.

It found young people were motivated to look after themselves because of a fear of being called fat, not being good at sports, or getting spots, than they were for their long-term health or well being.

The report, The Voice of Young People, published yesterday said there was a “strong social stigma” associated with being fat, with overweight children a source of bullying and ridicule among their peers and often unable to make friends.