A new poll has found that almost two thirds of Brits are in support of banning junk food ads before 9pm, while 90 per cent of those surveyed are calling for better nutrition lessons in schools.
The poll, involving 2,118 UK adults and commissioned by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, also found that over eight out ten surveyed back introduction of compulsory personal, social and health education (PSHE) in primary and secondary schools.
The study concluded that reduction in child death rates, reduction in rates of childhood cancer and ensuring consistent health service provision for children and young people across the UK are the top three child health issues that the public feel should be priorities for government.
Further, the study also found that nearly 60 per cent of Brits support introduction of policies to help tackle obesity.
“Many health issues experienced later in life can be triggered during childhood. We need to better support children from infant to child, through to teen and into adulthood – we’ll only be able to do this by making small yet significant policy changes directly targeted to meet their needs”, said Dr Hilary Cass, President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Some of the other key findings of the poll are:
- 69 per cent see improving children and young people’s mental health as a high priority;
- 77 per cent of adults are in favour of supporting pregnant mothers to reduce risky behaviours during pregnancy such as smoking;
- More than three in five adults (62 per cent) say increasing the amount of money spent on research (e.g. clinical trials) to improve children and young people’s health should be a high priority;
- 58 per cent support reducing the national speed limit in built up areas to 20mph to attempt to reduce deaths from road traffic accidents;
- 94 per cent say children’s healthcare should be an important priority for the NHS (67 per cent very important).
- 94 per cent say care of the elderly should also be an important priority (65 per cent very important).
- 63 per cent of the public back reallocating part of the NHS budget for urgent and emergency care to the prevention of illness (such as promoting active lifestyles and healthy eating) and provision of community care services
“These are figures that are going to see little improvement if bold policies are not put in place to directly address them”, added Dr Cass.
“What’s needed is urgent and increased investment in children’s mental health services and policies like taxation of foods high in salt, sugar and fat, compulsory PSHE lessons in all schools and heightened road safety measures such as 20mph zones – policies that are backed by the public.”
