London, Sept 26 (ANI): Three-quarters of British children are unaware they are risking an early death by bingeing on junk food, says a new survey.

The shocking poll found that 73 per cent of eight to 15-year-olds did not know a poor diet could shorten their lifespan.

The findings are to be released on Monday at the launch of the British Heart Foundation's Food4Thought campaign.

Around 45 per cent of respondents said they thought the most dangerous side effects were putting on weight, getting spots, tooth decay and becoming unpopular, reports The Telegraph.

A spokesman for the foundation said: "Latest predictions show that two thirds of all children will be overweight or obese by 2050 and today's youngsters may be the first generation to live shorter lives than their parents.

"Obviously obesity is a major contributor to heart disease, which is why the BHF is launching Food4Thought, aimed at getting children more active as part of the battle against childhood obesity." (ANI)