Healthy eating advocates to discuss rising childhood obesity at Children and Youth Affairs Committee

The meeting at 9:30 a.m. in Committee Room 1, Leinster House, is the latest in a series organised by the Committee to explore the rising rate of childhood obesity in Ireland and possible strategies for reversing the trend.

Scheduled witnesses include:

• President Maria Hickey and Vice President Maria Barry of the Association of Teachers of Home Economics;
• Dr. Karen Matvienko-Sikar from the CHErIsH (Choosing Healthy Eating for Infant Health) research project at the School of Public Health at UCC;
• Amanda McCloat and Dr. Elaine Mooney from the Home Economics Department of St. Angela’s College in Sligo;
• Philip Moyles, chairman of the No Fry Zone 4 Kids Committee that seeks to bar fast-food outlets from the vicinity of schools;
• Jennifer Feighan, chief executive of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute; and
• Dr. Mimi Tatlow-Golden, lecturer in developmental psychology and co-director of the Centre for Children’s Wellbeing at The Open University.

“Improving our children’s eating habits and activities may start at home, but fostering healthier appetites and higher-energy pursuits means employing expertise in a variety of areas,” said Committee Chairman Alan Farrell TD. “As the Committee shapes its recommendations for reversing the rise in childhood obesity, identifying new approaches from the school cafeteria to the nearby restaurants will be essential.”

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.

Committee proceedings also can be viewed live on Android and Apple devices using the Houses of the Oireachtas app.