Why Youngsters Need Cod Liver Oil
by Sarah Harris

The junk food diet of youngsters is so poor that they need World War 2 - style doses of cod liver oil, experts said yesterday. Children deprived of good food during wartime rationing were given free cod liver oil to boost their vitamin intake, but researchers say today's children need similar free supplements.

They say children are deficient in essential Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oils and play an essential role in brain development. They say a return to wartime remedies - involving distributing supplements of Omega -3 fish oil and multi-vitamins may be necessary to help stave off future problems and boost pupils' concentration in schools.

The Dyscovery Centre, a research institution which receives Government funding to help those with learning difficulties, looked at the food eaten by 1,125 children aged 7 to eleven in 24 hours.

Researchers found 86 per cent ate no fish, 40 per cent had chips for dinner or lunch and 85 per cent had sweets, chocolate, cake and crisps. Seventy three per cent had no fruit, 66 percent had no vegetables and 55 percent had neither fruit nor vegetables.

The Dyscovery Centre received research grants from Haliborange, which produces vitamins.

The Department for Education said it was working to improve school meals before minimum nutrition standards were introduced in 2006.
Daily Mail, 2nd March 2005