Teenage girls ‘risking health due to poor diets’

Teenage girls in the UK may be placing themselves at risk of future health problems with persistently poor dietary habits, according to new figures.

The Department of Health has published data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey, which shows that female teenagers are only eating half their recommended portions of fruit and vegetables.

Although eating habits were found to be suboptimal among the teen demographic as a whole, the trend was more pronounced among girls, with only 56 percent of this group receiving enough iron in their diets.

Responding to the data, the Department of Health has pledged to work with charities and businesses to bolster its efforts to help people make healthy living choices.

Health minister Paul Burstow said: "We want people to know that they can change what they do and make a difference to their health. Over the last ten years, we have not seen the improvements we should have."

Earlier this month, a new Change4Life campaign was launched by the government to encourage school-age children to get active during the summer holidays.