Obesity levels growing faster among girls: survey

OBESITY levels among girls is growing at a faster rate than boys, according to the most detailed survey ever undertaken in this country into children’s eating habits.

The survey reveals 20% of girls and 15% of boys between the ages of five and 12 are overweight, and that four-in-10 of our children exceed the recommended limit of 35% total energy intake from fat.

The findings are among a snapshot of research projects in the booklet “Quality Food founded on Science”, which has been published by the Department of Agriculture and Food and was launched in Dublin Castle by Minister Mary Coughlan yesterday.

Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance conducted the survey on 600 children aged between five and 12 years in 20 schools across the country.

The results will provide data for use in nutrition policy and planning and help the Irish food industry to meet the opportunities and challenges provided by the modern global market place.

Milk and dairy products, confectionery, snacks, biscuits, meat and spreads were identified in the survey as the sources of fat in children’s diet.

The findings also showed 61% of Irish children do not consume enough fibre and that salt intake is too high, mainly from processed meats and bread. Calcium, iron, vitamins A, C and D and folate were found to be inadequate, especially in girls.

Children who watch more television engage in less recreational activity were more likely to be obese, according to the research. Some 36% of children watch more than two hours television per day. This rises to 68% at the weekend.

The three most significant barriers to children being provided a healthy diet were identified as likes and dislikes, convenience and food advertising. Cost availability and allergies have little influence.

The other projects funded under the FIRM and highlighted in the publication include research on functional foods and beverages, healthy snacks, food safety and bread quality.

Ms Coughlan reiterated her commitment to building an innovative, competitive and consumer focused agri-food industry and called on it to work closely with the research institutes in driving forward their research agendas.

She said record awards totalling €31 million were made under the FIRM in recent weeks in respect of 57 projects to be undertaken by Teagasc, universities and institutes of technology. These brought to €94m the total funding approved for public good food research projects under FIRM in the NDP period 2000-2006.