Bad habits: Teen boys more likely to eat junk food than girls leading to long-term health problems

TEENAGE boys are more prone to eating snacks high in fat, sugars, salts and easily lured by junk food marketing campaigns than girls, leading to long-term health problems, a study shows.

25/07/2011 NEWS: Mid-section of an overweight man sitting on a park bench with take-away food. Obese generic. Fat. Junk food. thinkstock Pic. Supplied

TEENAGE boys consume more fatty, sugary and high-salt snacks than their female peers and are more easily lured by multi-million dollar junk food marketing campaigns leading to long-term health problems, a new study shows.

Latest research by the National Heart Foundation and Cancer Council has revealed the worrying findings as health experts urge parents — and especially governments — to tackle the issue of junk food advertising and its effect on the nation’s next generation.

The study found teenage boys were more likely to eat fast food (46 per cent) compared with girls (34 per cent) and more consumed sugary drinks (28 per cent) compared with the opposite sex (14 per cent).

The survey of almost 9000 Australian secondary school students in Years 8 to 11 also revealed boys consumed salty snacks, fried potato products and sweet treats more often than girls and were more likely to be influenced by marketing campaigns that involved giveaways, competitions or links with movies and sports personalities.

More than 50 per cent of all teenagers surveyed said they tried a new soft drink or food product after they had seen it advertised.

National Heart Foundation chief executive officer Mary Barry said she was concerned by the survey results.

“We know overweight and obese children are more likely to carry excess weight into

adulthood, along with poor eating habits, putting a whole cohort at high risk of a range of diet-

related diseases, including heart disease,” she said.

She urged parents and governments to take action before it was too late.

“More needs to be done at a national level to help support health groups, parents and schools

counteract junk food advertising in order to improve our nation’s future health,” she said.

Heart Foundation SA chief executive officer Dr Amanda Rischbieth said the organisation would tackle the issue of growing physical inactivity — and unhealthy eating — through its call for a National Action Plan on physical activity.

The organisation is calling for:

MANDATORY physical education for school children.

PUBLIC education campaigns on the benefits of active living and harms from sitting too much.

HEALTH urban planning that makes it easier to be active in Australia neighbourhoods.

UPGRADED walking and cycling infrastructure.

Originally published as Bad habits: Teen boys more likely to eat junk food than girls leading to long-term health problems