Secondary school students who are heading to college next year have been advised to make sure they continue to eat healthily so that they do not gain weight.

Orla Tinsley, writing for the Irish Times, suggested that college students are likely to embark on an unhealthy diet as they indulge in takeaways and ready meals.

She explored a number of case studies of students, who all said it was "so much easier" to get fast food rather than cook for themselves.

Speaking with the newspaper, Dr Eilenn Gibney, head of the Human Nutrition Programme at UCD, stated that while this is a common problem, it is "easy" to remain healthy.

"Although we don't have any specific studies in Ireland on weight gain and unhealthy eating in college, anecdotal evidence would suggest a change from mammy's cooking to independent living causes problems," the doctor said.

Irish Independent journalist Damien Maher also expressed his concerns over young people's diets and urged parents to avoid giving their children high-sugar foods as this can lead to problems of obesity.

Written by Donal Walsh

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