Nutrition

A study by University College London has found that eating disorders are growing twice as fast among men and boys as among women and girls.

The number of males being diagnosed with conditions such as bulimia and anorexia rose 24% between 2000 and 2009 almost twice the rise among females.

However, eating disorders are still 10 times more common among women and particularly teenage girls overall.

The figures show that up to 10% of teenage girls have an eating disorder.

More should be done to stop high caffeine energy drinks being targeted at children, an assembly member says.

Labour AM Jenny Rathbone claimed they were aimed at young people in "name, labelling and promotion" and caused problems including hyperactivity.

The Welsh government said it would ensure guidance prevented public bodies selling the drinks to children.

The soft drinks industry body said its code of practice states the drinks should not be promoted to children.

Pupils from the age of five upwards should be given lessons in riding a bike and negotiating traffic amid fears too many children are failing to take up the “essential life skill” on a daily basis, it is claimed.

In a letter to The Daily Telegraph, organisations including the AA, the Road Haulage Association, British Cycling and the UK Health Forum claim that cycling should have the same status in the physical education curriculum as swimming.

A US study suggests that giving toddlers low-fat milk could lead to them becoming overweight or obese.

Researchers found two-year-olds with a healthy weight to be 57% more likely to be overweight at four if they drank skimmed or 1% fat milk rather than full-fat milk.

The researchers argued that full-fat milk might better satisfy a child's appetite, making it less likely that they will go in search of additional food.