Children eat four times the recommended calories on Christmas Day. Children can consume nearly four times their daily recommended amount of calories on Christmas Day alone, research has shown.
Childhood obesity experts at Leeds-based Carnegie Weight Management found that Christmas dinner, treats and other meals contained up to 6,000 calories - nearly four times what a five-year-old should eat in one day.
They warned that the weight gained by children over the festive season may take weeks or months to lose - with some never shifting the extra pounds.
The study by the weight management programme, based at Leeds Metropolitan University, found that an average Christmas dinner can contain 956 calories and 48g of fat, while assorted desserts and treats add another 3,336 calories and 169.7g of fat.
Added to breakfast and any other extra meals or snacks and children are soon eating far more than is recommended in one day.
The 6,000-calorie total is around four times the 1,550-calorie limit recommended for a girl aged between four and six and is even more than twice the 2,775 daily allowance for teenage boys aged 15 to 18 years old.
Adults are also in danger of over-indulging, with daily recommended limits of 2,550 calories for men and 1,940 for women.
Carnegie Weight Management is now warning parents to recognise the dangers of such over-eating after a further study found that many wrongly think their children will grow out of obesity.
The research found that more than 40% of parents are not recognising weight problems in their offspring - with 16% blaming it on puppy fat, 14% claiming it is genetic and 11% thinking it is down to low metabolism.
The statistics have prompted experts at Carnegie, the longest-running programme for the treatment of overweight and obese children in Europe, to warn parents that not recognising weight problems in their children can lead to obesity levels continuing.
Paul Gately, director of Carnegie Weight Management, said: ''Puppy fat is no longer relevant to our children; they just don't grow out of it any more. In fact, half of overweight five-year- olds will grow up to be obese adults.
''I urge parents to seek advice early in order to understand the classifications of overweight and obesity and access services.''
Christmas Day calorie totals:
CHRISTMAS DINNER:
TOTAL: 956 calories
EXTRAS:
TOTAL: 3,336 calories
OTHER MEALS AND SNACKS:
TOTAL: 1,708 calories
Recommended calories per day:
Post : Children eat four times the recommended calories on Christmas Day
Childhood obesity experts at Leeds-based Carnegie Weight Management found that Christmas dinner, treats and other meals contained up to 6,000 calories - nearly four times what a five-year-old should eat in one day.
They warned that the weight gained by children over the festive season may take weeks or months to lose - with some never shifting the extra pounds.
Children can consume four times their recommended daily intake of calories at Christmas
Photo: GETTY
Photo: GETTY
The study by the weight management programme, based at Leeds Metropolitan University, found that an average Christmas dinner can contain 956 calories and 48g of fat, while assorted desserts and treats add another 3,336 calories and 169.7g of fat.
Added to breakfast and any other extra meals or snacks and children are soon eating far more than is recommended in one day.
The 6,000-calorie total is around four times the 1,550-calorie limit recommended for a girl aged between four and six and is even more than twice the 2,775 daily allowance for teenage boys aged 15 to 18 years old.
Adults are also in danger of over-indulging, with daily recommended limits of 2,550 calories for men and 1,940 for women.
Carnegie Weight Management is now warning parents to recognise the dangers of such over-eating after a further study found that many wrongly think their children will grow out of obesity.
The research found that more than 40% of parents are not recognising weight problems in their offspring - with 16% blaming it on puppy fat, 14% claiming it is genetic and 11% thinking it is down to low metabolism.
The statistics have prompted experts at Carnegie, the longest-running programme for the treatment of overweight and obese children in Europe, to warn parents that not recognising weight problems in their children can lead to obesity levels continuing.
Paul Gately, director of Carnegie Weight Management, said: ''Puppy fat is no longer relevant to our children; they just don't grow out of it any more. In fact, half of overweight five-year- olds will grow up to be obese adults.
''I urge parents to seek advice early in order to understand the classifications of overweight and obesity and access services.''
Christmas Day calorie totals:
CHRISTMAS DINNER:
- :: Roast turkey (90g) - 149 calories
- :: Roast potatoes (85g) - 127 calories
- :: Stuffing (100g) - 231 calories
- :: Bread sauce (45g) - 42 calories
- :: Roast parsnips (90g) - 102 calories
- :: Boiled carrots - 14 calories
- :: Boiled Brussels sprouts - 32 calories
- :: Gravy (50g) - 17 calories
- :: Cranberry sauce (30g) - 45 calories
- :: Pork sausage (20g) - 62 calories
- :: Bacon (40g) - 135 calories
TOTAL: 956 calories
EXTRAS:
- :: 1 slice of Christmas cake (70g) - 249 calories
- :: 1 portion of chocolate log (30g) - 101 calories
- :: 1 portion of cheese and biscuits - 394 calories
- :: 1 portion of mixed nuts (40g) - 243 calories
- :: 1 portion Christmas pudding (100g), custard and brandy butter - 587 calories
- :: 1 mince pie and double cream - 368 calories
- :: 3 Quality Streets - 133 calories
- :: 5 Chocolate Fingers - 150 calories
- :: Average Selection Box - 1,111 calories
TOTAL: 3,336 calories
OTHER MEALS AND SNACKS:
TOTAL: 1,708 calories
Recommended calories per day:
- :: Age 4 to 6: 1,700 (male), 1,550 (female)
- :: Age 7 to 10: 1,970 (male), 1,845 (female)
- :: Age 11 to 14: 2,220 (male), 1,845 (female)
- :: Age 15 to 18: 2,775 (male), 2,110 (female)
- :: Adults: 2,550 (male), 1,940 (female)
( telegraph.co.uk )
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