Kids are going to school on junk food breakfasts

A massive £646 million is being spent each year by sweet-toothed kids buying biscuits, cake and meat snacks on the way to school and almost one quarter of all 7-14 year olds have a junk food breakfast of this kind regularly. While a staggering one in every class of 14 year olds say they go to school on a cigarette. Worryingly, 14% of children say they go into an off-licence to buy breakfast, rising to 24% of 13-14 year olds. The survey also found that half a million kids eat biscuits for their morning meal, 160,000 have a bag of crisps and more than 100,000 just have a fizzy drink. The study of UK families revealed the extent to which parents know what kids are doing but do nothing about it. A third of children say their parents are aware of what they spend their dosh on and are fine with it. Cardiff is the junk food brekkie capital of Britain – 34% of kids (eight percent over the national average) say they scoff unhealthy food before school, meanwhile Southampton's youngsters get top marks – they are the least likely to stuff themselves with bad food first thing, racking up a well below average of 12%. Rachel Fellows from Kellogg's said: "This report shows parents are having a tough time but we know parents want to do the right thing but something's stopping that happening. We all need to help parents find solutions – like open more breakfast clubs in schools - so each child can start the day with a decent meal in them." Jeremy Todd, chief executive of parent's charity Parentline Plus, added: "Parentline Plus advises parents, where possible, to sit down with your children and ensure that your family eats a healthy breakfast. The time before school can be stressful for parents as they struggle to get themselves ready for work and their children ready for school."