One in seven British kids never eats fruit

Up to 1.7 million children in the UK never eat fruit, according to government-backed report.

The astonishing figure, which equates to one in seven of the nation’s kids, was revealed in a report released this week by the School Food Trust. It also claims that children being given free fruit at school are less likely to be fed fruit at home.

Fourteen per cent of youngsters have never eaten either an apple or a banana, the UK’s favourite fruits, and the research found that a disturbing number of children believed that a healthy diet involves starving themselves, rather than eating the recommended 5 A DAY.

"Although the term healthy eating is familiar to children, it is neither well understood nor applied in practice,” the report said.

"Perceptions of which foods should be eaten in moderation and an understanding of balancing a diet appear to be weak."

One in three British children is now regarded as overweight or obese. By 2050, two in three children and 90 per cent of adults could be fat, risking heart disease and diabetes.

Around £550 is spent on sweets and crisps annually by British 8-16 year-olds, as they make their way to and from school.