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Health Promotion Policy.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 February 2007

Tuesday, 6 February 2007

Questions (38, 39)

Michael Finneran

Question:

118 Mr. Finneran asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures she is taking to promote healthy diet and nutritional habits amongst school children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3687/07]

View answer

Barry Andrews

Question:

122 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the efforts she is making to promote healthy eating amongst school children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3695/07]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 122 together.

I am very aware of the need to promote sensible and healthy eating habits among our young people. Not alone do health, diet and nutrition impact on societal well-being, mental health and life expectancy, it pervades into every area of our economy, from lost work days to increased healthcare costs. The case for targeting the dietary habits of young people in their formative years is compelling. That is why I have introduced a range of measures in the area of research and in the area of promotion, all of which recognise the need for a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach.

The Scientific Study on Children's Diet, which was co-funded by my Department and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), was the first study to benchmark dietary intakes of a nationally representative sample of Irish children. The work was carried out by researchers in Trinity College, Dublin and University College, Cork who surveyed 600 children aged 5-12 years from primary schools throughout Ireland during 2003 and 2004. The researchers collected information on diet, physical activity and body measurements on each child in addition to lifestyle information for both the children and their parents.

In relation to diet, the Scientific Study identified inadequate consumption of milk, fresh meat and fruit and vegetables among the young. Responding to this study and to the recommendation of the Obesity Task Force, last August I launched a new school milk scheme. The new revamped scheme has a broader range of milk products on offer including flavoured milk, low-fat and fortified options and the improved packaging will I believe encourage more milk consumption among schoolchildren.

In addition my Department in conjunction with the European Commission and Wholesale Produce Ireland is funding a pilot healthy eating initiative (known as the Food Dude Programme) to encourage fruit and vegetable consumption among primary schoolchildren. Managed by An Bord Bia it is now in its second year in operation and will, on completion, have been introduced to 120 primary schools over 3 years. This programme was developed by the University of Wales, Bangor and is based on positive role models (the Food Dudes characters), repeated tasting and rewards. Studies show that it can deliver long-lasting results across the primary age range, regardless of gender, school size, geographic and socio-economic factors. It is designed to enable children enjoy healthy diets, and to create a healthy eating culture within schools.

In fact, the results of the first year were so very encouraging and the activity so well received by pupils, parent and teachers that I have decided to extend the Food Dude programme to more primary schools on a fully exchequer funded basis. An amount of €4million is being provided for this purpose in 2007 and, subject to evaluation further funding will be provided in following years. EU state aid approval has recently been received for the extended programme.

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