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Childhood Obesity

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 July 2013

Thursday, 4 July 2013

Questions (23)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

23. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for a national cross-sectoral strategy for the establishment of a childhood obesity prevention and intervention service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32578/13]

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Written answers

The Government shares with many other agencies and professional groups, concerns about the growth and nutrition of children and teenagers. The factors associated with overweight and obesity in Irish children is complex and research suggests that a multidimensional approach is needed which crosses government departments and agencies and involves children and families and community organisations working with statutory and voluntary sector.

Obesity - the policy challenges: The report of the National Taskforce on Obesity was published by the Department of Health in 2005 and remains the guided document for work in this area. My colleague the Minister for Health, has established a Special Advisory Group on Obesity to advise on implementation of the report and this group has representation from my own Department. One of their current projects involves a media campaign on preventing childhood obesity developed with Safe Food, the HSE, the Department of Health and my own Department, which is scheduled to take place in the autumn. Other work of the group includes technical support for providing calorie content information for small restaurant / coffee shop owners, to facilitate young people in making health choices.

It is widely accepted by researchers that there is a strong link between physical activity and being overweight, habits formed in youth tend to carry into adulthood. The Growing Up in Ireland study also clearly confirms this finding. Young people who took more exercise were less likely to be overweight or obese, especially in comparison to those who never exercised.

As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs I have responsibility for Play and Recreation Policy which have been set out in the policy documents, 'Ready, Steady, Play! A National Play Policy' and the 'National Recreation Policy for Young People', which seeks to actively promote the participation of children and young people in play and exercise, which is an effective way of helping them maintain a healthy weight.

In February 2012, I established the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network (LAPRN). This national network has been established to introduce a more coordinated and interagency approach to achieving the main goals of the play and recreation policies at both national and local level. An early achievement of the network has been the development and expansion of National Recreation Week which took place recently and National Play Day which is due to take place this month. Targeted grants are provided to Local Authorities by my Department to encourage participation across the Local Authority Network. This year saw the largest ever participation with all counties staging popular events.

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