School children are to be taught how to cut down on biscuits and sugary drinks in a new drive to tackle growing childhood obesity and achieve good dental health.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds unveiled on 19 July 2018 a new compulsory health education programme that will warn against food and drink with high calorie and sugar content.

The document proposes that pupils should know:

  • What constitutes a healthy diet

  • The characteristics of a poor diet and risks associated with unhealthy eating (including, for example, obesity) and other behaviours (such as the impact of alcohol on diet or health).

They should also know how to maintain healthy eating and the links between a poor diet and health risks, including eating disorders and cancer.

More specifically, under the plans, schools will be expected to continue to develop knowledge on topics specified for primary school and cover content by the end of secondary school on various areas such as health and prevention, including dental health, the benefits of good oral hygiene, and visits to the dentist.

If all approved, the proposals will become mandatory for schools from September 2020.

The consultation closes on 7 November 2018.