Constipation risk for kids who dislike Fruits and Vegetables

Scientists have found that primary school children who don't like eating fruit and vegetables are 13 times more likely to develop functional constipation than children who do.

Drinking less than 400ml of fluid a day also significantly increases the risk, according to the study.

Researchers from the National University of Singapore and Hong Kong Polytechnic University examined the eating habits of 383 children aged from 8 to 10 from a school in Hong Kong.

Key findings of the study included:

•  7% of the children who took part suffered from functional constipation and there were clear dietary differences between the children who did and did not have problems.

•  Girls were more likely to have functional constipation than boys and 9-year-olds were more likely to report problems.

•  Children who only drank 200ml to 400ml of fluid a day were 8 times more likely to experience problems than children who drank more.

•  Children who said they did not like fruit or vegetables were 13 times more likely to suffer from functional constipation than children who did.

The researchers advised parents to encourage children to consume fruit and vegetable. Nutrient-rich produce may boost kids' intake of vitamins and minerals, as well as help them maintain a healthy weight.