CHILDREN who eat more fast food than fresh cooked meals have lower IQs, according to research.

have warned that children who eat more fast food have lower IQs

A study of 4,000 Scottish children aged three to five found childhood nutrition has long lasting effects on intelligence.

Researchers at Goldsmiths University in London, discovered parents of higher socio-economic status fed their children meals prepared with fresh ingredients more often, which had a positive effect on their IQ.

Lower socio-economic status was linked to more children having fast food, which led to lower intelligence.

Dr Sophie von Stumm, from the department of psychology at Goldsmiths, said: "It's common sense that the food we eat will affect brain development, but previous research has only looked at the effects of specific food groups on children's IQ rather than at generic types of meals.

"This research will go some way to providing evidence to support the various high profile campaigns aimed at reducing the amount of fast food consumed by children in the UK.

"Freshness and quality of food matters more than just being full, in particular when children are young and developing."