Cork schoolboy saddles up for health prize

THE European Commission has told a 10-year-old Cork boy to get on his bike.

The lad in question did not take offence, however, as he was informed a mountain bike was top prize in an EU-wide competition testing children’s knowledge of balanced lifestyle and healthy eating habits.

A delighted Seamus Hickey received his prize in Dublin yesterday from Martin Territt, the European Commission’s director of the representation.

Seamus, who is a pupil at Glasheen Boys National School, got the prize after competing in an online treasure hunt competition organised by the agriculture and public health services of the commission.

Competitors had to guess the right answers to a series of questions on nutrition and exercise.

“It was quite hard doing the competition. It was great to win it and the bike is really good. I’ll have great fun on it,” Seamus said.

Mr Territt said it was great to see young people show a huge interest in nutrition and physical activity.

“Achieving a balanced diet for children is a constant challenge and we must act now. Raising awareness among them is the first step.

“EU agriculture provides the necessary elements for healthy nutrition and with the new school schemes we are supporting a more balanced diet among European schoolchildren,” Mr Territt added. The treasure hunt has been running since September 2009 on the Tasty Bunch website: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/tasty-bunch/ where sporty and healthy fruit, vegetables and dairy characters helped more young competitors to answer questions on balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

The site also has tips for parents on how to get children to eat healthy options.

Around 22 million children are overweight in the EU, of which 5 million are considered obese.