More than 50 percent of primary and middle school students representing 24 schools in six cities from two provinces eat unhealthy snacks, China Youth Daily reported on Thursday.

Research showed more than half of the interviewed students ate fried, over salty or over sweet snacks on a daily basis. Lack of physical exercise and an unbalanced diet are universal health issues among the young.

Out of more than 10,000 questioned, only 36 percent of primary students and 33 percent of middle school pupils exercise more than an hour each day; 67 percent of primary pupils continue to sit for more than an hour after school while more than 88 percent of middle school students remain seated.

A quarter of primary and 16 percent of middle school students drink sugary beverages every day, according to the report and outdoor exercise at weekends was shown to be the choice of only 40 percent of primary and one fifth of middle school students.

Even running for several minutes daily reduces risk of death	Junk food kills appetite for healthy meals