Secondary school children are consuming less sugar and sugar-sweetened drinks while increasing their intake of fruit and water. The research, which was conducted pre-pandemic, found the levels of obesity in teenagers have increased in recent years. Around seven-and-a-half hours are spent in sedentary behaviours and just under four hours is spent on screens. Changes to dietary behaviours noted in the survey include an increased intake of water, pasta, rice and savouries. Teens have reduced their intake of sugar, salt, sugar-sweetened drinks, fruit juice, milk and potatoes.

Source: Irish Examiner June 10, 2021 11:22 UTC