Kids need to eat fatty foods

New research from the USA shows that children need to eat fatty foods and that health-conscious parents may be stopping their offspring from getting enough in their daily diet.

Researchers from Pennsylvania State University found children burned substantially more fat than adults relative to their calorie intake. Their findings were published in the Nutrition Journal magazine which said parents concerned about obese children should be wary of putting their kids on low fat diets. Youngsters needed fat to grow and thrive. ´Despite this, many parents and children restrict fat for health reasons. Sufficient fat must be included in the diet for children to support normal growth and development,´claimed the Journal.

Over a third of a child's energy intake should be made up of fat, said the study - a figure in line with UK recommendations.

Ten children and ten adults took part in the survey. During the testing all led the lives of virtual couch potatoes. None of the group led an active lifestyle. They spent their time watching films and reading. The occasional slow walk was as active as they got.

And while the kids didn't burn up more fat than the adults in total they did so substantially relevant to the energy used.

UK nutritionists stressed it was possible to obtain fat from otherwise healthy sources. Saturated fat from cakes, biscuits, pastries and fatty meats could be avoided with the necessary fat coming from oily fish and from cooking in olive or sunflower oil.

The study was welcomed by the National Obesity Forum which said `Young children need more fat and energy for the whole purpose of growing and living.

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