Fruits, vegetables 'can cut child cancer risk'

London, May 10 (ANI): Children must eat more fruits and vegetables to reduce the risk of cancer in later life, a charity has said.

The latest published Health Survey for England (HSE) for 2008 suggested that four in five children are not eating the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables.

Now the World Cancer Research Fund has warned that this could lead to an increased risk of them developing cancer in later life.

"The fact that only a fifth of children are getting enough fruit and vegetables is a concern because it is important that we encourage children to get into healthy habits as early in life as possible," the Daily Express quoted Nathalie Winn, nutritionist for the WCRF, as saying.

"This is because scientific research shows that eating a plant-based diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, wholegrains and pulses probably reduces the risk of a number of types of cancer later in life," Winn added.

Ahead of its annual Fruity Friday campaign, the WCRF is highlighting the importance of a good diet.

The research shows that, on average, boys aged five to 15 eat 3.1 portions of fruit and vegetables while girls have 3.3 portions a day, according to the Health Survey for England 2008.

It even showed that one in 14 boys and one in 25 girls did not eat any fruit or vegetables at all on the day of the survey. (ANI)