Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 1991

Vol. 407 No. 1

Written Answers. - Programme Findings on Nutritional Standards.

Michael Bell

Question:

271 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Health if he will outline his views on the recent findings of a possible link between vitamin/mineral intake and IQ attainments as outlined in medical studies in the recent BBC programme "QED"; whether, in view of these findings, his Department will consider a co-operative study with the Department of Education to assess (1) the nutritional standards of our young people and (2) any shortfall in these standards; and if his Department will consider (a) issuing nutritional guidelines for young people with particular emphasis on the nutritional value of readily available foodstuffs and (b) making a reasonable investment in an extensive public education programme on this issue.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

I am aware of a number of recent research studies, particularly in Britain, on the question of whether a relationship exists between IQ levels and vitamin/mineral intake. The results of these studies have given rise to considerable controversy and the findings have been inconclusive.

In the area of nutrition generally, my advice, in line with current expert opinion, is that people, including young people, should eat a healthy variety diet from a wide range of foodstuffs. This is the best way of ensuring an adequate intake of nutritional requirements including vitamins and minerals.

The Deputy is aware that we recently established a Nutrition Advisory Committee which will keep nutritional issues such as the relationship between vitamin and mineral supplement intake and IQ levels under constant review in the light of on-going international research. This committee will also assist in the development of nutritional priorities and provide expert advice to counteract much of the misinformation and misunderstanding in the area of nutrition.

In relation to nutritional standards the Irish national nutrition survey carried out by the Irish Nutrition and Dietetics Institute (INDI) and published in 1990 included a representative sample of school children aged eight to 18 years. In general the study indicated that this study group were reasonably well nourished and that intakes of most nutrients were in line with the recommended dietary allowances as published by the Food Advisory Committee.

My Department recognise healthy eating as a key factor in promoting health in the population, including the health of young people. Specifically, the health promotion unit have developed a nutrition health promotion action plan which sets out a series of measures which will be implemented to improve nutrition generally.

The implementation strategies to be used as part of this plan will concern the education of the public, particularly disadvantaged groups, and of young people and the elderly.

I should add that information on a range of nutrition issues is available from the health promotion unit. Healthy eating guidelines are available to health professionals to assist them in providing information to the public. In addition more general information leaflets on healthy eating and on losing weight are available, free of charge, to the public and to health professionals from the unit.