RESOURCES: Talking point - Do young people eat too much fast food?

There is nothing wrong with chips and burgers, says the Food Standards Agency. Provided, it says, they are part of a well-balanced diet. That means eating other high-nutrition foods alongside the snacks and drinks that are high in fat, sugar and salt.

Talk to young people about balanced diets - and any problems in getting them. Are there places to go where you can get the fresh fruit and vegetables that the health experts say are needed? Are they attractive to young people?

Are they affordable?

What kind of food do schools and colleges serve? How nutritious is it? One catering company gets 1.32 a day for each person in the school who is on free school meals. Is this enough money?

No-one is forced to eat fast food every day. But many young people do.

Some get overweight and develop other health problems. Is this just their own fault? Or should fast food companies take some responsibility for the way they attract and market their products?

Do young people know what is in the food they eat? Fizzy drinks can contain massive amounts of sugar. Cigarettes carry health warnings. Should food carry them as well?

Research shows that messages about healthy eating are not getting through to young people. How much do young people know about current advice? This is to eat more cereals and starchy foods such as bread, rice, noodles, cereals, potatoes and pasta. And to eat at least five portions a day of fruit and vegetables.

Other official advice for teenagers is to reduce foods containing fat, sugar and salt and encourage regular meals rather than "snacking". Do young people know this? How could they be made more aware of the advice?

Some doctors are urging the Government to tax high-fat foods such as biscuits, cakes and processed meals. Obesity is estimated to cost the NHS at least 500m a year. Who would be most affected by a fatty-food tax? Would it work?