Eating out puts child’s health at risk

CHILDREN who are treated to lots of meals out are more likely to face greater heart disease risk factors, research showed yesterday.

Researchers in the US compared the diets of more than 600 youngsters to examine the link between eating outside the home and cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure.

A fifth of the students had eaten out four or more times a week not including school dinners.

The researchers said that, compared to the other children, the group who ate out more frequently had higher blood pressure and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) the "good" cholesterol that protects against heart disease.

The study, reported at the American Heart Association's scientific sessions, also found they also had lower insulin sensitivity an early sign of progression towards type-2 diabetes.