Plans for fast food ban near schools

FAST food outlets are to be banned near schools under plans being considered by the Government in the battle against soaring levels of childhood obesity.

Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald said she was involved in talks the Department of the Environment about changing planning laws to ensure that fast food outlets are not opened near schools.

She said the proposals were similar to measures introduced in Britain and were being taken seriously.

Health Minister James Reilly said the question of introducing taxes on sugary drinks and fatty foods was being considered but refused to be drawn when asked if the new taxes would be included in next month’s budget.

He said he realised there was a “furore” in the food industry and had invited manufacturers to discuss the best way to deal with the issue.

“Let’s do what is good for the industry but, most importantly, let us do what is good for our children,” he said.

The latest report into child health reveals that more than one-in-four nine-year-olds are overweight or obese.

Almost a third of girls were overweight or obese compared to more than a fifth of boys.

Report author of the Growing Up in Ireland Study, Prof Richard Layte, said GPs should weigh child patients at least once a year. Parents should also be assessed to see if they are overweight.

Dr Reilly also said family doctors would be playing a more pro-active role in the fight against obesity.

Dr Reilly said the new contract for GPs would have a heavy emphasis on chronic illness care and prevention.

He said doctors, particularly practice nurses, would be encouraged to weigh children and their parents when they came to the surgery.

Dr Reilly said the report highlighted the lack of awareness among parents that their children might have a problem with their weight.

“We do not wish to be the first generation to bury the generation behind us, to live longer than our children. It is not the natural order of things. That is what we face with the rising epidemic of obesity and diabetes in our children, in our young people,” he said.

The Government-funded study of 8,500 nine year olds found that overweight mothers were less likely to recognise a similar problem in their own sons or daughters.

The interview process involved taking the height and weight of the child and their parents as well as asking a range of questions on diet, exercise and sedentary activities.

Excess weight in childhood can have serious consequences for health and psychological well-being in childhood and a longer- term impact on health into adulthood.

The research found that children who are overweight or obese are more likely to be bullied than their healthy weight peers. They are also more likely to perform poorly at school.