33% of Irish children are ‘troubled’

MORE than one-in-three Irish children may be suffering from behavioural and emotional problems, a major new health survey has discovered.

One-in-four children in Ireland were also found to be overweight or obese.

These problems have prompted the Health Services Executive (HSE) to launch a new training programme for doctors and nurses working with troubled children.

Research published yesterday by the HSE, at its conference, Health of our Children, in Dublin, indicated that child behavioural and emotional problems affect between 20 and 36% of children and young people (aged seven to 17).

The survey also found that parental care is key to child health and development.

One of the HSE’s new projects is aimed at training doctors and nurses working with children and families in supporting positive emotional and mental health.

Guidelines launched by the HSE yesterday include early warning signs of problematic behaviour and mental ill health, including autism and ADHD.

Meanwhile, approximately one-in-four children and 50% of adults residing in Ireland are overweight or obese, according to the HSE’s survey.

Obese children are at risk of adverse health consequences, including cardiovascular, metabolic and psychosocial disorders. They are also likely to remain obese into adulthood, with an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and arthritis.

According to the HSE, growth charts for Irish children are to be introduced. Body index charts will be available and used to monitor trends of childhood obesity in Ireland.

Dr Christine McMaster, HSE regional child and adolescent health development officer, said the problem is obesity requires a “multifaceted approach with shared societal responsibility and collaboration between the public, private and voluntary sectors”.