The high saturated fat levels in food such as burgers lower children's immune systems, it is believed. A research project involving more than 50 countries found that teenagers who ate junk food three times a week or more were 39 per cent more likely to get severe asthma. Younger children were 27 per cent more at risk. Both were also more prone to the eye condition rhinoconjunctivitis. But just three weekly portions of fruit and vegetables could cut that risk by 14 per cent in the younger group and 11 per cent among the teens. Researchers from New Zealand's Auckland University looked at the diets of 181,000 youngsters aged six to seven and 319,000 aged 13-14 The scientists then asked if the children had allergy symptoms. They wrote in the journal Thorax, where the study is published: "Fast food may be contributing to increasing asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema. "Regular consumption of fruit and vegetables is likely to protect against these diseases." In the UK alone 1.1 million children already suffer with asthma and one in five get eczema. The team of researchers warn that their results do not prove cause and effect. However here is another good reason to remember to take your 5 a day of fruit and vegetables.