Children & Youth Affairs Committee to focus on physical activity & healthy eating in fight against childhood obesity

The Joint Committee will hear from:

• Representatives from Sport Ireland;
• Representatives from SafeFood;
• Officials from Dept. of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

Speaking in advance of the meeting, Committee Chair, Alan Farrell TD said, “The tackling of obesity across all facets of society is a complex and multi-layered issue. It is clear, however, from the evidence that physical activity plays a major role in improving the overall health and well-being of our children. Tomorrow the Committee will examine how we can provide more opportunities for young people to engage in physical activity.”

“Safefood will take us through their work in tackling obesity, including community outreach, education support, research and partnership and their START campaign, which is aimed at supporting parents in making improving their family’s eating, physical activity and sleep habits. With the Department’s Officials, we will look at the school meals programme and at the measures in place to improve children’s nutritional intake, thus reducing obesity.”

“Working in tandem, increased physical activity and healthy eating are the main ways to prevent childhood obesity. Ireland has a way to go before we can say we are doing all we can to tackle childhood obesity. Through this series of meetings, the Committee hopes to help build awareness of healthy habits for all children and families and inform future policy in this area.”

Watch the meeting live here