Regina Doherty
Question:12. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce any secondary school initiatives to deal with obesity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54604/12]
View answerWednesday, 5 December 2012
Questions (12, 13)
Regina Doherty
Question:13. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce any national school initiatives to deal with obesity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54610/12]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together.
Our young people are educated about the dangers of eating food which is unhealthy during their primary and second level education. It is important to realise that school is just one small but influential aspect of their lives. The Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme is a mandatory part of the curriculum in primary schools and in junior cycle. The programme is supported by comprehensive teacher guidelines and curriculum support services which provide training and advice for schools and also a resource directory. At primary level, one of the SPHE strand units 'Taking care of my body' specifically addresses the need for regular exercise and activity as well as the area of nutrition and food and the need for a balanced diet. This unit is built upon from Infants classes onwards. By Fifth and Sixth classes children are encouraged to realise and accept responsibility for making wise food choices and for adopting a healthy, balanced diet, and in that, exploring and examining the food pyramid.
Elements of this strand are supported by the "Food Dudes" programme which encourages children to eat more fruit and vegetables both in school and in the home. The programme is managed by Bord Bia and funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries and also by the EU through the School Fruit Scheme. Physical Education also forms a mandatory part of the primary curriculum. Aims of the PE curriculum include promoting enjoyment of, and positive attitudes towards, physical activity and its contribution to lifelong health related fitness. Many primary schools operate healthy eating policies with the support of parents.
At post-primary level, SPHE for Junior Cycle builds on the primary SPHE Curriculum. Nutrition and physical activity are specifically addressed in the SPHE module on 'Physical Health'. In addition cross-curricular links with other subjects such as Home Economics, PE and Junior Science that deal with SPHE-related topics are encouraged. In 2009, the Department carried out a Lifeskills Survey to establish policy and practice in relation to nutrition, exercise, health, growing up, bullying and other aspects of the SPHE programme. The results of the survey showed that 98% of the primary schools which responded promote healthy lunches, and have policy on a balanced diet, regular exercise and the food pyramid, 95% encourage physical activity in school breaks and 89% have sport outside of school hours, while 85% have a healthy food policy. At post primary level 97% of the schools which responded have a policy on a balanced diet and regular exercise, 88% have sport outside of school hours and 90% encourage physical activity in school breaks. The survey was re-issued to schools in May of this year and results will be expected early in the new year.
The new Framework for Junior Cycle which I launched in October, promotes " Staying Well" as one of its key skills. In addition a number of the statements of learning promote wellbeing, confident and competent participation in physical activity along with the students understanding the importance of food and diet and in their making healthy lifestyle choices. Short courses will be available in SPHE and in PE for schools from 2014. Good lifestyle habits can be promoted in schools but it is also the responsiblity of the family and the wider community to play their part so as to minimise the unacceptable levels of obesity that are now becoming more the norm among our young people.