Vol. 515 No. 5
70 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will introduce a programme of education for young people in view of the increasing number of young people at risk of osteoporosis due to eating disorders and poor lifestyle habits which will have a serious impact on health services in the future. [6494/00]
My Department offers and supports a wide range of health education programmes and interventions aimed at young people that seek to promote healthy eating and lifestyle practices. At a national level the programmes available include: social, personal and health Education a broad based health education programme for both primary and post primary schools; nutrition education at post primary schools a healthy eating programme for primary schools; being well – a holistic community based health education programme.
In addition to education programmes my Department has supported and developed the following initiatives promoting healthy eating and good lifestyle practices: national healthy eating week – an annual event focusing on nutrition and calcium intake; publication of an information leaflet on eating disorders – anorexia and bulimia nervosa; support for organisations such as Bodywhys and the Irish Osteoporosis Society; building healthier hearts strategy focuses significantly on smoking and physical exercise, factors which can influence the onset of osteoporosis; and in addition, regional level awareness campaigns to prevent osteoporosis take place and a strategy to promote physical activity in Ireland has been developed by the health boards.
