TEN businesses in Enfield have signed up to a new project teaching school children the nutritional value of fast food.

The pilot scheme, being run by Enfield Council and NHS Enfield, will encourage fast food chains, particularly those near to schools in the borough, to offer a healthier menu.

Nutritionists, dietitians, and a food safety officer will be working with businesses to help them change their menus and offer information to children on the calories in fast food products.

The firms involved will be urged to offer food with less salt, saturated fat, and sugar to try to drive down the calorie content.

Dr Peter Barnes, Clinical Director for the health trust, said significantly more people in the Enfield are overweight or clinical obese compared with 50 years ago, and it is hope this project will start to tackle that trend.

He said: “This is marvelous. If we compared the average weight of people in Enfield with those living here even fifty years ago, you would find that on average we are all heavier but significantly more are overweight and clinically obese.

“The result of this is more of us than ever have type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancers and this is putting an enormous strain on the NHS.

“Any scheme that improves the nutritional content of fast food and reduces the calories is certainly worth a try.”

If the scheme is successful in the next six months, the council and health trust intend to roll it out to other food shops and restaurants in the borough.