UK families cannot provide healthy food for their children due to poverty

Recent research, conducted by the thinktank 'Food Foundation', found that almost 4 million children in poor UK households do not have a nutritious and healthy diet.

Foods that are full of nutrients such as fish (a valuable protein), vegetables, and fruits are harder to purchase on a limited household income.

Dairy products and grain are also essential elements that make up a healthy diet necessary for children.

To reach governmental guidelines for a healthy diet, one-fifth of the poorest families in the UK would have to use more than 40% of their total weekly income, and this after housing costs, to provide their children with the nutrients they need to battle the possibilities of diabetes and obesity.

In 2015, data from the Health & Social Care Information Centre showed 11% of children in affluent areas of the UK were considered obese, compared to 25% in poorer areas.

So does the solution lie in making nutritious foods cheaper? Or making junk food more expensive?

Or perhaps a wider issue requires some attention?

If children in impoverished families and areas do not have the economic chances to have a healthy diet, an essential part of their development and growth into adulthood, then isn't it worth trying to tackle poverty within the UK in the 21st century?