Letter: Hungry children

Sir:Save the Children has been warning for some time that malnutrition is not only a constant in the lives of millions of children overseas but is also a real risk here in the UK. Research conducted last year by Save the Children into "food deserts" and children's nutrition highlighted the impact family income has on children's diets.

Our findings suggest that benefit levels do not allow low-income families to budget for healthy food for their children. We now urge the Government to undertake a comprehensive assessment of benefits - as an integral part of their health promotion activity - to determine the level of benefit required to provide children with a healthy diet.

The spectre of malnutrition must not become an accepted part of poor children's daily lives.

JUDY LISTER

Programme Director - UK/Europe

Save the Children (UK)

London SE5