Health professionals warn hunger is worsening children’s health
Joe Lepper
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Poor oral health and failure to gain weight are among a raft of child health issues worsening due to hunger and poor nutrition, a survey of health professionals finds.
More than three quarters of children’s health practitioners surveyed said children’s teeth were decaying or being damaged “at a higher rate than usual” due to hunger and poor diet.
“Our kids are born into a toxic food environment, and dentists see the results every single day, said Eddie Crouch, chair of the British Dental Association, members of which were among more than 300 health professionals surveyed.
“Tooth decay is the number one reason for hospital admissions among young children, and bad diets are fuelling it,” he added.
More than half of those surveyed said hunger and poor nutrition was resulting in slower than expected weight gain. A similar proportion noted changes in behaviour and “frequent mental health problems”.
Members of the School and Public Health Nurses Association were also among those taking part in the survey, which is part of the National Education Union’s (NEU'S) lobbying of the government to fund free school meals (FSM) for all primary school children.
Almost all of the survey’s respondents back this move.
🔊 Free School Meals for All – National Week of Action starts tomorrow!
— National Education Union (@NEUnion) June 23, 2023
The NEU is leading a national week of action from 24-30 June to call on Government to expand the provision of Free School Meals to all children in primary schools.
240 community organisations, faith groups,… pic.twitter.com/YoMTG8wa79
“The detailed responses from school nurses demonstrate not only their high level of concern and compassion but also the significant impact this is having on the focus of their work with an increasing number of hungry children,” said School and Public Health Nurses Association chief executive Sharon White.
She said that “this should not be happening in the fifth richest county in the world” adding that without universal free school meals “the downward trajectory of our children’s health outcomes will continue long into adulthood”.
NEU joint general secretary Kevin Courtney added: “Front line healthcare staff such as school nurses, dentists and teachers play a huge role in supporting young people to live the best lives they can, but these findings show that their jobs are becoming increasingly difficult in the face of rising poverty.
“Soaring food inflation and the rising cost of living means many more families are being pushed into poverty, and work no longer pays the bills for too many people.”
