More than 70 percent of children living in subdivided flats may have nutritional deficiencies, the Hong Kong Community Dietician Association said on Sunday.

The statement is one of the findings from a survey conducted from last June to January, which polled 589 underprivileged children aged between two and 11 who live in shoebox flats.

The survey, conducted by the association and World Vision Hong Kong, found that more than 80 percent of children do not consume enough dairy, while three-quarters are not eating enough vegetables.

The association said grassroots parents find it challenging to provide balanced meals for their children because of their financial situation and limited living space.

Bonnie Leung, a dietitian with the association, said low-income families need more support as a lack of nutrition could lead to health problems and affect children's growth.

“If they are not consuming enough vegetables and fruits, they are lacking dietary fiber. If they don’t have enough dietary fiber in the long term, they will have the issue of constipation,” she said.

Leung said the survey also revealed that many low-income families do not know how important good nutrition is.

“In Hong Kong, there's not enough consistent nutrition programmes or workshops for children. If they don't know enough about this, they will not eat healthy,” Leung said.

She called on the government to provide better nutrition education, including more consultation services to parents.