Social class affects children's health before the age of 3

Young children from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to be obese and have poorer diets than their advantaged counterparts.

 

The latest report from the Growing Up in Ireland study found that a gap began to appear in the health of children from different social classes before they reached the age of three.

 

9% of children living with parents who never worked were obese, compared with 5% of those from more advantaged backgrounds.

 

Children of less-educated parents were also more likely to have eaten unhealthy foods like burgers and crisps, while failing to consume fresh fruit or veg in the 24 hours before they were interviewed.