Young people find a healthy diet hard to identify

A health education body has launched the "Get Sussed" campaign to address the rising number of overweight and obese 11 to 15 year olds.

A Developing Patient Partnerships (DPP) poll found more than a quarter said losing weight was top of their list of things to change about their health.

DPP has launched a website at www.sussed.uk.net to offer advice.

The role of the education system in addressing the obesity epidemic cannot be ignored Dr Simon Fradd

It aims to help address the escalating number of overweight and obese young people.

Recent reports have put Scottish children as the third fattest in Europe.

Dr Simon Fradd, DPP chairman, said: "This research shows that nearly half of children think school meals are unhealthy.

"Action on improving nutrition in schools is clearly essential, but we are not doing enough to equip our young people with the knowledge and skills to be able to make healthy decisions themselves.

Too much weight

"The possibilities for schools to help children to have a sense of control and make healthy decisions about their lifestyles are limitless.

"The role of the education system in addressing the obesity epidemic cannot be ignored.

"The DPP hopes that this campaign will offer teachers, schools and young people a source of the best knowledge they need to be able to make their own choices."

The poll, conducted for DPP by Mori, found that more than a third - 36% of 11 to 15 year olds - were worried that they might put on too much weight over Christmas.

It said 74% anticipated that their diet would be fairly unhealthy during the holidays.

Healthy diet

Being able to run faster and having fewer coughs and colds were the main changes that youngsters would like to make to their health.

However, 27% said losing weight would be their main change.

Almost two thirds - 64% of 11 to 15 year olds - in Scotland and the North of England said they found it difficult to know what a healthy diet was.

More than 40% find it difficult to find places to exercise outside of school, the poll said.