‘Worrying’ Number of Primary School Children Go to Class Hungry
A recent study conducted by the Food Foundation has revealed a concerning trend in the United Kingdom: a significant number of primary school children are attending class hungry. The study, which surveyed over 10,000 parents, found that: * 11% of primary school children in England are hungry when they arrive at school. * This figure rises to 15% in the most deprived areas. * The problem is particularly acute in the winter months, when food insecurity is higher. The consequences of going to school hungry are severe. Children who are hungry have difficulty concentrating, learn less effectively, and are more likely to experience health problems. “It is deeply worrying that so many children are starting their school day on an empty stomach,” said Anna Taylor, executive director of the Food Foundation. “Hunger has a devastating impact on children’s ability to learn and reach their full potential.” The study also found that: * 1 in 5 parents have skipped meals to feed their children. * 1 in 10 parents have reported that their children have gone to school without breakfast. These findings highlight the growing problem of food insecurity in the UK. The cost of living crisis, rising inflation, and cuts to government benefits are all contributing to families struggling to put food on the table. The government has been urged to take action to address this issue. The Food Foundation has called for: * Increased support for families on low incomes. * Expanded access to free school meals. * Investment in food education and cooking skills. “Every child deserves to start their school day fully nourished,” said Taylor. “The government must take urgent action to ensure that all children have access to the food they need to thrive.” The study also found that the problem of child hunger is disproportionately affecting children from minority ethnic backgrounds. Children from Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Black African backgrounds were more likely to go to school hungry than white British children. This finding highlights the need for targeted interventions to address the specific needs of these communities. The study’s findings are a stark reminder of the extent of food insecurity in the UK today. It is essential that the government and other organizations work together to ensure that all children have access to the healthy food they need to reach their full potential.
‘Worrying’ Number of Primary School Children Go to Class Hungry
Metro.co.uk
A recent study has revealed a “worrying” number of primary school children in the UK are attending class hungry. The research, conducted by the Food Foundation, found that nearly 1 in 10 children (9%) go to school without breakfast, while a similar number (8%) experience hunger during the school day. The study also found that children who go to school hungry are more likely to have difficulty concentrating and paying attention in class. They are also more likely to be tired and irritable, which can lead to behavioural problems. The Food Foundation is calling on the government to take action to address this issue. They are urging the government to provide free school meals to all primary school children, and to increase funding for breakfast clubs and other schemes that provide food to children in need. The government has said that it is committed to ensuring that all children have access to healthy food. However, the Food Foundation’s research suggests that more needs to be done to address the problem of hunger in schools.