Inactive youth at risk of heart disease

MANY young people are at serious risk of developing heart disease with more than half of adolescents not engaging in enough physical exercise, according to research published yesterday.

A survey of 1,500 adolescents revealed that a fifth of all 15 to 17-year-olds in north Dublin city and county are either overweight or obese.

Dr Will Fennell, president of the Irish Heart Foundation which funded part of the research, warned: “The Irish Heart Foundation is in no doubt that the positive trend in reducing coronary heart disease over the last two decades will quickly be reversed. Not only are the levels of overweight and obesity of concern, but as the Take PART survey shows, a large number of young people are not physically active enough and the National Children’s Survey highlights a number of deficiencies in children’s diet, all of which independently impact on risk of heart disease.”

Minister of State for Health and Children, Seán Power, said he was concerned by the 56% of 15 to 17-year-olds who are not meeting the minimum recommendations for engaging in physical activity.

The survey measured the minimum levels of moderate or vigorous physical activity four or more times per week for at least 60 minutes a day. “Young people need to be doing moderate to vigorous activity at least 60 minutes every day. One-in-five were found to be overweight or obese and high levels of inactivity would be a contributing factor,” Mr Power said.

The survey was carried out by Dublin City University (DCU) and funded by the Irish Heart Foundation, Health Services Executive (HSE), Northern Area and Fingal Sports Partnership.

The research found females were less physically active in leisure time after school and had lower aerobic fitness levels than males.

However, both males and females spent approximately three hours per day in sedentary leisure pursuits outside of school hours, including television viewing.