The number of five- to 15-year-olds from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds who eat the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables each day is significantly higher than in the general population.

Figures from the Health Survey for England 2004: The Health of Ethnic Minority Groups show that 11 per cent of boys and 12 per cent of girls in England get the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables. This rises to more than one in five boys from Indian or Bangladeshi backgrounds.

The figures for girls show a similar trend. The only exception is young people from Chinese backgrounds, where nearly one in four girls eat the recommended amount, compared with a sixth of boys.

However, boys from Black African, Black Caribbean, or Pakistani backgrounds were significantly more likely to be overweight. Forty-two per cent of Black African boys were overweight or obese, compared with a national average of 30 per cent, even though 18 per cent eat the recommended amount.

Barbara Hearn, director of policy and innovation at children's charity NCB, said: "We welcome the apparent message that Indian, Chinese and Bangladeshi children are leading the way in reaching a higher consumption of fruit and vegetables than their peers."

www.ic.nhs.uk.