Teachers in the UK want to see healthy eating become part of the curriculum with many concerned that their pupils have little knowledge about what constitutes a healthy meal. 

According to a survey of more than 500 primary school teachers, conducted by the educational programme Eat Like A Champ, nearly as many as half of all teachers (46 per cent) across the country believe their students have either "minimal" or no knowledge about how to eat healthily. 

As many as 48 per cent of teachers said the students they teach only eat one piece of fruit and veg or less per day.

Some 95 per cent of respondents said they have at least some concern over what school kids are eating, while 90 per cent of those surveyed said they want to see lessons about healthy foods and how to eat properly brought into the British classroom. 

There are even some teachers who believe they have at least some responsibility over what their pupils eat. According to the study, 69 per cent of respondents said they believe this to be the case, while 72 per cent added that they think they should be monitoring the lunch boxes of their pupils. 

TV presenter Helen Skelton, a mother-of-one and ambassador for Eat Like A Champ, said: "We know that teachers work extremely hard, and it is encouraging to see that so many of them are enthusiastic about healthy eating education and having a real impact on their pupils' eating habits."

Adam Grant, general manager at Danone, said: "The concept of Eat Like A Champ is to make healthy eating exciting and inspire children to adopt the healthy choices of champions they admire," as he encouraged teachers across the country to get involved with the programme and help their pupils make a move towards a healthier future.