Date Published: 20 May 2006

Mental Health Foundation welcomes nutrition guidelines that will ban junk food from schools by 2009 (UK)

On the day that nutrition guidelines that will ban 'junk food' from UK state schools by 2009 were released, Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation said:

" It is good news that the government is taking steps to improve the quality of the meals provided to children at school. Evidence shows that food can have an immediate and lasting effect upon a child's mental health and behaviour because of the way it affects the structure and function of the brain. Eating too much food containing sugars, additives and saturated fats including trans-fats can affect children's learning and behaviour but a healthy diet gives children the energy and brainpower they need to absorb information and interact."

Note about the source of this statement: According to its website, the Mental Health Foundation (UK) uses research and practical projects to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems. It works to influence policy, including government at the highest levels. It also uses its knowledge to raise awareness and to help tackle the stigma attached to mental illness.

News is included on the IvyRose website to inform visitors about current issues but not to endorse any particular view or activity. Any views expressed in the article above are not necessarily those of IvyRose Ltd.. At least some of the material in this item was released by the Mental Health Foundation, UK, on 19th May 2006 and may have been edited (e.g. in style, length, and/or for ease of understanding).