New research suggests that Britain's youngsters are more concerned by their appearance than their health.

Experts at the British Heart Foundation surveyed 1,100 eight to 12-year-olds about the consequences of eating a poor diet.

They found that 45 per cent thought the most dangerous effects were rotting teeth, spots, weight gain and becoming unpopular with their peers.

Nearly three quarters were unaware that a diet of junk food could shorten their lifespan.

Ryan Bolton, 11, told researchers that he was "not really bothered" by the long-term health risks, claiming: "The future is too far off to worry about it."

The charity's director of prevention and care, Mike Knapton, said: "Today's junk food generation can't see beyond the burger box."

He warned that young people are failing to recognise that an unhealthy diet can have "dire" consequences for their long-term health.

A report published in 2004 found that almost a quarter of the calories consumed by people in the US come from nutrient-poor junk foods.