Tackling Fast Food

A group of young people living in one of the most deprived estates in Glasgow have spoken out about the unhealthy food plaguing their community.

They have created a film questioning why takeaways and fast food outlets target children and young people when the health consequences of eating these foods is so well known.

The work is part of the Children’s Future Food Inquiry which aims to see an end to childhood food insecurity.

Aaron Ross, 20, is part of the group and explained the reason behind the film.

‘We know eating unhealthy food has bead effects but we are left with less of a choice.

‘In our community there is a dot-to-dot of takeaways lining our streets. They offer lunchtime specials to school children, they are even promoted on our bus tickets.’

The video explains how lunchtime specials are targeted directly at school children, and questions why toys are offered as promotions to poor diets.

Food insecurity covers a whole range of experiences, from worrying about where you are going to get food to experiencing extreme hunger.

People experiencing moderate food insecurity are forced to compromise on the quality of food and opt for takeaways and convenience foods high in fats and salts.

Aaron and his team are calling on healthier options to be more accessible and cheaper for those on lower incomes.

‘When I was growing up my mum was a single parent,’ he explained. ‘When she was at work we had to get on with things, it was hard to eat healthily and the fast food options are the cheapest.

‘We are always told about the important role food can play in our health. If we are the generation with lots of choices then why can it feel like there is only one?’

The film was shown at an evidence hearing in the Scottish Parliament last month. It was produced for the Food Foundation and funded by the Tudor Trust.

To find other resources on this topic, and watch Fixers films, click on the image below.