Vol. 403 No. 8
169 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Health if he is considering carrying out a survey of the eating habits of female teenagers as was recently carried out in the United Kingdom and which was referred to in reports (details supplied).
Up to date information on the eating habits of female teenagers is already available in this country. The recent major national nutrition survey by the Irish Nutrition and Dietetics Institute (INDI) included a representative sample of school children aged 8-18. The study provides detailed information on the food intake of young females. Height and weight measurements were also obtained and these were shown to be in line with Irish Reference Standards (Hoey 1987). These and indeed other findings of the INDI survey are being taken into account by the health promotion unit in the formulation of a nutrition health promotion programme to commence early in 1991.
Dietary guidelines prepared by the Food Advisory Committee in 1987 are available to health personnel who give information and advice to the general public on healthy eating. These guidelines include recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for different age and sex groups including adolescent females. The dietary guidelines will shortly be reviewed and, if necessary, updated by the new subcommittee on nutrition established under the Advisory Council on Health Promotion.
General information on healthy eating is already available to the general public from the public office of the health promotion unit and from other outlets.
