The health of children and young people is being damaged by a lack of visits to rural areas, according to research.
A study carried out by the campaign group Year of Food and Farming has suggested children who do not have access to the countryside are less likely to be aware of the importance of eating healthily.
The survey of 1,000 school pupils in England found one in five never visited the countryside and a further 17 per cent did so very infrequently.
However, 64 per cent of children visited a foreign country at least once a year and one in five regularly used the internet to broaden their range of experience.
Children who did have regular access to the countryside were more likely to enjoy healthy foods, such as vegetables, and had a better idea of where different foods come from.
"Children with greater agricultural literacy are more likely to make better food choices," states the research. "After all, it's difficult to care about something you've never or rarely met."
The campaign is calling for schools to arrange more visits to the countryside and for parents to educate their children, encourage them to grow vegetables and get them involved in cooking.
The survey of 1,000 school pupils in England found one in five never visited the countryside and a further 17 per cent did so very infrequently.
However, 64 per cent of children visited a foreign country at least once a year and one in five regularly used the internet to broaden their range of experience.
Children who did have regular access to the countryside were more likely to enjoy healthy foods, such as vegetables, and had a better idea of where different foods come from.
"Children with greater agricultural literacy are more likely to make better food choices," states the research. "After all, it's difficult to care about something you've never or rarely met."
The campaign is calling for schools to arrange more visits to the countryside and for parents to educate their children, encourage them to grow vegetables and get them involved in cooking.
