Childhood Obesity

Dr. Kumar
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) if he will undertake research into the possible effect on levels of obesity of proposed changes to the availability of drinks provided in schools;

(2) if he will commission research into (a) the (i) prevalence and (ii) cause of dehydration among school children and (b) its effects on school children.

Mr. Dhanda
We have no plans to undertake research into the possible effect on levels of obesity of the changes to the availability of drinks provided in schools. Nor do we have plans to commission research into (a) the (i) prevalence and (ii) cause of dehydration among school children and (b) its effects on school children.

The new Education (Nutritional Standards for School Lunches) (England) Regulations 2006, introduced in September 2006, limit the range of drinks available in schools to plain water (still or sparkling); skimmed or semi-skimmed milk; fruit juices; yogurt drinks with less than 5 per cent. added sugar; or combinations of these drinks; and require drinking water to be provided free of charge to registered pupils on school premises. Subsequent  regulations to be introduced in September 2007 will extend these requirements to ensure that drinks throughout the school are consistent with those served at lunch; and that drinking water is provided free of charge at all times of the school day.

The Government’s strategy on obesity addresses the issue through a wide range of programmes to encourage children, parents, and parents-to-be to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle, to increase their levels of exercise, and to eat healthily. Setting statutory nutritional standards in schools is one action in our approach to support healthy eating and drinking.