THERE were two bits of worrying news concerning diet recently, with delegates at the Royal College of Nursing annual congress hearing how obesity is likely to overtake smoking as the UK's top preventable killer in the next 10 to 15 years and a survey finding that many pregnant teenagers put their unborn babies at risk due to an unhealthy diet.

Delegates at the RCN congress in Harrogate have been told that by 2040, if present trends continue, half the British population could be obese, in addition to growing numbers of overweight children.

The fact that compulsory education on nutrition in schools stopped a decade ago was also highlighted, leading to a growing generation who might lack real knowledge of cookery and food values.

The Maternity Alliance and Food Commission survey questioned 46 pregnant mothers all under the age of 18. It found that their diets were characterised by fatty foods, high in salt but low in dietary fibre, minerals and fruit and vegetables.

Findings such as these highlight the need to encourage our children to have a better understanding and appreciation of food and the issue of food education, as it really is a life skill. It is vital that youngsters understand food issues such as hygiene and nutrition.

Consumer lifestyles are rapidly changing. We are becoming ever familiar with ready cooked, microwave meals and our children are, in turn, losing valuable skills, such as safe food preparation, recognition of a nutritious diet and knowledge of food hygiene.

The loss of these types of skills eventually have a serious effect on all sorts of wider public policies, influencing poverty and social inequality, housing, food safety and hygiene, and balanced diet choices.

As the delegates at the congress heard, there are also effects on the nation's health, leading to an increase in diet-related illnesses such as heart disease - which in turn places an extra load on the National Health Service.

All of us in the food industry need to discuss issues regarding food in the curriculum openly and to seek opinion and support. Many of us in the industry already support food education in Wales through different ranges of teaching resources and provide workshops, seminars, classes and conferences to back these up. There is a need to keep in close contact with teachers, department heads, subject advisers and education authorities, to ensure that any food industry initiatives meet with curriculum requirements for all key stages.

We must bring together all those who have an interest in encouraging children to learn about food in a practical way and that means other food producers, education experts, school pupils and those who influence the curriculum - the Assembly Members.

We must work together to raise the profile of food issues in schools, so that no children will feel unable to cook for themselves, or be unsure of what food to buy or how to prepare it.

After all, they are the parents of the future.

* Gwyn Howells is chief executive of Hybu Cig Cymru, Meat Promotion Wales.