Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the relationship between child poverty, diet and wellbeing.

While no specific assessment has been made on the relationship between child poverty, diet and wellbeing, findings from the 2021/22 National Child Measurement Programme annual report show the prevalence of obesity for children in the most deprived areas continues to be more than double that of those in the least deprived areas.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities monitors quantitative information on food consumption, nutrient intakes, nutritional status and related characteristics in the general population through the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS). Since 2021, food security questions have been included in the NDNS.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) advises the Government on nutrition and health. SACN’s risk assessments and advice include specific reference to health inequality issues and vulnerable groups, such as infants, the elderly and ethnic minorities.