App helps keep kids healthy

STOCKPORT Council is encouraging parents to take control of their children’s diets.

Public Health England has reported that children consume half the daily recommended sugar intake before school.

A new free app called ‘Be Food Smart’ has been developed and works by scanning the barcode of products, allowing parents to compare brands and make healthier choices.

Councillor Tom McGee said: “Our latest child obesity figures indicate that over a fifth of four and five-year-olds are overweight or obese, rising to nearly a third of all ten to 11-year-olds.

“Our kids might seem fine on the outside but too much sugar and saturated fat can lead to the build-up of harmful fat on the inside that we can’t see. This fat around their vital organs can cause weight gain and serious diseases in the future, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

“It’s therefore really important for families to know what their children are eating .”