Fad dieters 'lacking essential nutrients'

The boom in fad diets means millions of young people in Britain are lacking in vital minerals such as magnesium, potassium and copper, a report claims today.

Research carried out by the National Diet and Nutrition Survey shows that regimes such as the Atkins diet prevent teenagers getting their recommended daily requirement of the nutrients.

It shows more than half of girls between 11 and 18 do not get the minimum daily requirement of magnesium, needed to build strong teeth and bones.

Almost 30 per cent of the girls do not get enough potassium, which helps control blood pressure.

The report also reveals that 37 per cent of youngsters between 11 and 14 do not eat their daily recommended intake of zinc, regarded as essential for a healthy immune system, particularly for warding off colds.

Nutritionist Fiona Hunter said: "28 per cent of UK households are on a diet and this is the first time in history that consumers have not been eating enough minerals as they are experimenting with fads."

The report, commissioned by the British Potato Council, showed consumers often do not fully understand the importance of minerals that are obscure but essential to good health.