Children who do not eat fruits, vegetables face cancer risk


Parents, please note - children who don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables daily are at risk of developing cancer later in life, say scientists.

A team at the World Cancer Research Fund, a leading cancer charity, has found that many children often don’t take their recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and this could raise their risk of developing the disease.

The scientists recommend that to cut the risk of cancer, people should keep themselves as lean as possible, without becoming underweight, and consume five portions of fruit and vegetables every day, the Daily Express reported.

Moreover, people should be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day, avoid sugary drinks and cut down on low-fibre processed foods high in sugar or fat. It is also important to limit the consumption of red meat and avoid processed meats as much as possible, say the scientists.

Nathalie Winn, nutritionist for the WCRF, said: “The fact that only a fifth of children are getting enough fruit and vegetables is a concern because it is important that we encourage children to get into healthy habits as early in life as possible.

“This is because scientific research shows that eating a plant-based diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, wholegrains and pulses probably reduces the risk of a number of types of cancer later in life.”

The research shows that, on average, boys aged five to 15 eat 3.1 portions of fruit and vegetables while girls have 3.3 portions a day, according to Health Survey for England. It even showed that one in 14 boys and one in 25 girls did not eat any fruit or vegetables at all.