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One in six teens eat daily takeaway
One in six youngsters eat a ready-made meal or take-away every single day, according to a poll out today.
Under-18s typically have three or more such meals a week, while 16% say they eat them at least once a day.
The study of 3,000 people was released by Siemens and The Stroke Association to raise awareness of the risks of eating too much salty food.
Eating a dangerous amount of salt, combined with too little exercise, increases blood pressure and puts people at risk of stroke.
The research found that 64% of people of all ages are unconcerned about how much salt they consume while 57% have no idea if they adhere to the recommended 6g or under a day.
While most people (92%) knew that eating too much salt was bad for their health, 40% were unable to say that 6g - or one teaspoon - was the maximum amount they should have in a day.
Under-18s were the most likely to check the salt content of food (21% versus 10% national average), despite the fact they were far more likely to eat ready-made foods and take-aways.
The under-18s were also the least aware (53% compared with 76% for all other age groups) that salt in shop-bought food was likely to be their main source of salt.
Most of this age group (84%) also said they exercised fewer than five times a week, meaning they could be storing up problems for later in life.
Among all age groups, 85% failed to take the recommended 30 minutes of exercise five times a week.
The poll further found that 78% of people admit adding extra salt to their food during cooking or just before they eat.
The poll was released to mark the launch of a new Stroke for Stroke campaign, which aims to get people rowing 10km for charity.
Members of the public can get a free five-day pass to Nuffield Health clubs as part of the campaign.
Wendy Martinson, nutritionist to the GB rowing team, said: "A combination of poor dietary choices and habits, along with lack of regular exercise, could result in serious future health problems.
"A campaign such as Stroke for Stroke can raise awareness of the importance of taking positive action in your diet and lifestyle to improve your health. The risk of stroke is patently real and these warnings need to be acknowledged."
Joe Korner, director of communications for The Stroke Association, said: "Each year an estimated 150,000 people in the UK will suffer a stroke.
"High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for stroke. Eating too much salt on a regular basis as well as not exercising can contribute to this.
"Stroke for Stroke is now in its third year and a campaign like this is integral to raising awareness of how regular exercise and lifestyle choices can help prevent a stroke, which is clearly a message the UK still needs to hear."
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Weather for Blackpool
Sunday 12 February 2012
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