CASH
(Consensus Action on Salt and Health) are making salt
and children’s diets the main campaign thrust
this year. Children were chosen as their diets are very
high in salt and despite requiring less salt than adults,
the type of food eaten by kids mean that their diet
is as salty as adults. This has potential immediate
health implications for children, such as possibly failing
to achieve peak bone mass, as well as longer term health
consequences such as high blood pressure and stroke.
CASH aim to highlight the potential health consequences
of the type of diet eaten by today’s children,
demonstrate where this salt comes from in children’s
diets and offer suggestions on improving their diet.
Health professionals throughout the country will be
encouraged to put on their own events for Salt Awareness
Day, using the numerous resources that are being developed
to promote healthier lower salt eating in children.
Included in the resources will be a recipe booklet which
is being written by Annabel Karmel, leading author on
children’s nutrition. |
For
further information and resources contact:
CASH, Blood Pressure Unit,
St George’s Hospital Medical School
Cranmer Terrace, London
SW17 ORE
Tel 020 8725 2409
Email cash@sghms.ac.uk
Website www.hyp.ac.uk/cash
|
The
day will be marked by a media event at the House of
Commons with journalists, MPs, representatives from
the major supermarkets etc. being invited. It will be
hosted by labour MP for St Albans, Kerry Pollard and
include guest speaker Annabel Karmel. At the event,
CASH hope to highlight the steps taken by the food industry,
caterers and supermarkets to make food eaten by children
less salty.. CASH are currently undertaking a survey
in schools on children’s attitudes and knowledge
about salt. The results will be released for Salt Awareness
Day. |
