One in six youths eats daily takeaways or ready meals

Published on Tuesday 17 November 2009 19:52

ONE in six young people eat a readymade meal or takeaway every day, according to a poll.

Under-18s typically have three or more such meals a week, while 16 per cent say they eat them at least once a day.

The study of 3,000 people was released by Siemens and The Stroke Association to raise awareness of the risks of eating too much salty food.

Eating a dangerous amount of salt, combined with too little exercise, increases blood pressure and the risk of stroke.

The research found that 64 per cent of people of all ages are unconcerned about how much salt they consume, while 57 per cent have no idea if they adhere to the recommended 6g or under a day.

Most people knew that too much salt was bad for their health, but 40 per cent were unaware that 6g, or one teaspoon, was the maximum amount they should have in a day.