The Government shares with many other agencies and professional groups, concerns about the growth and nutrition of infants and children. The large scale, government funded, ‘Growing Up in Ireland’ longitudinal study has shown that one in four, 4 year olds and one in three 9 year olds are overweight or obese. Some 15% of 3rd and 4th class children report drinking soft drinks daily or more according to the recent Health Behaviour in School Children study and 28% of 3rd and 4th class children report eating sweets once a day or more.
The HSE plans in 2013 to revise the training module on infant nutrition and growth measurement Public Health Nurses and Community Medical Officers receive as part of their continuing education in delivering the HSE’s ‘Best Health for Children’ programme of child health checks. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland recently published “Scientific Recommendations for a National Infant Feeding Policy” which draws on the latest scientific evidence of best practice.
The World Health Organisation has also produced guidelines on infant nutrition which are supported by the Department of Health and which promote breastfeeding and healthy weaning practices, and compliment the Department’s own breastfeeding strategy. New growth charts developed by the World Health Organisation, and supported by the department of Health are also currently being rolled out nationally by the HSE, which will enable professionals and parents to more accurately monitor a child’s growth and development.
The Minister for Health’s Special Advisory Group on Obesity which includes a range of relevant stakeholders, including the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and an Official of my Department, has also been considering a number of issues, including Healthy Eating Guidelines, restricting the marketing of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt to children, nutritional labelling, calorie posting on restaurant menus, the detection and treatment of obesity and the promotion of physical exercise.
