Nursery World - Millions of children in families too poor to afford a healthy diet

Close to 4 million children are in households that can’t afford enough fruit, vegetables and other healthy foods to meet Government nutritional guidelines.

According to new analysis from independent think tank The Food Foundation, the poorest fifth of families, those earning less than £15,860, would have to set aside 42 per cent of their income after housing costs to satisfy Public Health England nutritional requirements, making providing a healthy diet most likely unaffordable.

The think tank says the unaffordability of a healthy diet for low-income households is highlighted by increased rates of childhood obesity in deprived areas of the country.

For its analysis, The Food Foundation compared the estimated cost of Public Health England’s (PHE) ‘Eatwell Guide’ – official guidance on what constitutes a healthy diet, to household income in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland Wales.

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