Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 February 2008
94 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps the health services have taken to promote a change in emphasis from the primacy of individual responsibility to environments that support healthy food choices and regular physical activity in view of the recommendations of the Report on the National Taskforce on Obesity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8297/08]
Amharc ar fhreagra104 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the recommendations of the Report of the National Task Force on Obesity, guidelines for physical activity, food and nutrition have been developed according to age and gender; if these guidelines have been independently proofed by the relevant authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8307/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 104 together.
A number of national food consumption surveys have been carried out over the last 15 years, which now provide valuable information on what the Irish population is eating. Two of these are commissioned every four years by my Department, these are the National Health and Lifestyle Survey (SLÁN) and Health Behaviour in School Children (HBSC) surveys. Other surveys of the food and nutrition behaviours of children, teenagers and adults are carried out by the Irish University Nutrition Alliance.
My Department will soon be publishing our first National Nutrition Policy which will look at all the whole population while making special mention of age and gender groups.
My Department and the Department of Education and Science have been involved in developing healthy eating guidelines for schools. Guidelines for pre-schools and primary schools are already developed and appropriate healthy eating training by community dieticians with preschool and primary school staff is currently underway. A number of schools are already implementing the guidelines. Post primary school guidelines are being printed and will be launched in March.
Guidelines and recommendations on levels of physical activity are currently being devised by the Population Health Directorate of the Health Service Executive and I am referring the Deputy's question to the Executive for direct reply on that aspect of the Deputy's question.
95 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps the health services and health care providers have taken in supporting the population in healthy eating and active living in the prevention of overweight and obesity in view of the recommendations of the Report of the National Task force on Obesity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8298/08]
Amharc ar fhreagra96 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the recommendations of the Report of the National Task force on Obesity, the health services have introduced a measurement of height, weight, waist circumference and calculation of body mass index as part of routine clinical health care practice in primary care and in hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8299/08]
Amharc ar fhreagra97 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps taken by the Population Health Directorate to develop a national database of growth measurements for children and adults in view of the recommendations of the Report of the National Task force on Obesity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8300/08]
Amharc ar fhreagra98 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the recommendations of the Report of the National Task force on Obesity, an education and training programme for health professionals in the appropriate and sensitive management of overweight and obesity has been developed and implemented; if a practical framework for implementation of the education and training programme has been developed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8301/08]
Amharc ar fhreagra99 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the recommendations of the Report of the National Task force on Obesity, detection, prevention and treatment programmes have been evaluated and implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8302/08]
Amharc ar fhreagra101 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the procedures that have been put in place by appropriate experts and relevant support groups to assess individuals at risk of developing an eating disorder in view of the recommendations of the Report of the National Task Force on Obesity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8304/08]
Amharc ar fhreagra102 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the recommendations of the Report of the National Task Force on Obesity, the north south communication and public awareness programme on overweight and obesity has been developed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8305/08]
Amharc ar fhreagra103 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the recommendations of the Report of the National Task Force on Obesity, the Population Health Directorate has reviewed guidelines for physical activity, food and nutrition gender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8306/08]
Amharc ar fhreagra105 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the recommendations of the Report of the National Task Force on Obesity, all overweight and obesity prevention and management strategies have been coordinated and reviewed by the Population Health Directorate; the regularity with which these strategies have been reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8308/08]
Amharc ar fhreagra107 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the recommendations of the Report of the National Task Force on Obesity, the proposed growth assessment for underweight or overweight children has introduced nationally; the regularity with which assessments are carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8310/08]
Amharc ar fhreagra108 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the recommendations of the Report of the National Task Force on Obesity, her Department has carried out formative research to ensure programmes are being implemented as planned; if this included stake holder input at developmental, implementation and evaluation stages to ensure programs are being tailored to meet the needs of the target population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8311/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 95 to 99 inclusive, 101 to 103, inclusive, 105, 107 and 108 together.
The Deputy's question relates to the funding, management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
