Jimmy Deenihan
Question:90 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the various measures which his Department have initiated to promote health and fitness over the past two years.
Written Answers. - Health and Fitness Promotion.
The programme of activities of the health promotion unit is a broadly based programme which encompasses a range of issues such as lifestyle, drugs, AIDS, alcohol and smoking. These issues are addressed in a variety of settings including community, educational, occupational and recreational. The role of exercise is an important determinant of good health and accordingly features in a number of health promotion initiatives by my Department's health promotion unit.
The lifewise course is a community based health and fitness programme for adults which is being piloted in the Mid-Western Health Board area. One of the major components of the programme is an exercise routine where participants are led through a series of exercises designed to develop strength, stamina and suppleness.
The lifewise programme has proved very successful in the mid-western region and a number of other health boards are currently planning to provide lifewise programmes in their respective areas. Training programmes are currently taking place for lifewise tutors for these boards. The lifewise programme is adaptable and has been used in educational and occupational as well as community settings with various groups such as parents, the elderly, the disadvantaged and in schools.
The health promotion unit in conjunction with Cospóir and Thomond College of Education, Limerick, are currently developing health-related physical fitness materials for use by physical education teachers as part of a comprehensive health and fitness programme. The piloting phase of this programme is well advanced and is expected to be completed later this year.
The intersectoral approach which is necessary in the development of health and fitness programmes is also evidenced in the support of the health promotion unit for Cospóir's "Be Active, Be Alive" programme. These programmes are organised to encourage people, particularly those who do not participate in any form of physical activity or sport, to lead a more active lifestyle.
As part of their contribution to the World Health Organisation's healthy cities project, the health promotion unit will also part-sponsor the healthy cities walking project which is being co-ordinated by the Dublin Healthy Cities Committee and Saol Plus. The project will be launched this autumn.
The health promotion unit also produces materials on fitness and exercise as part of their information programme. A new leaflet on losing weight for better health contains information on aerobic exercise for weight loss purposes. The unit's Better Health Guide also contains information on the importance of exercise for health and fitness.
An important element of health and fitness is healthy nutrition. I will be launching, in a matter of weeks, an ambitious five year action framework on nutrition which aims at improving the nutritional status of the population generally with particular reference to vulnerable groups. Deputies will recall the very successful healthy eating week in the Dáil which emphasised the importance of good nutrition and how it can be achieved with modifications to existing dietary habits and cooking methods.