Parents urged to reduce sizes of children’s meals

A public health drive is urging parents to reduce their children’s meal size, give them water instead of sugary drinks, and reduce the time they spend in front of a television or computer.

Medics say 60 minutes a day physical activity and getting a good night’s sleep will also make children more healthy in the future.

Parents are being told to keep treats small and as infrequent as possible.

The practical advice is part of Safefood’s campaign to tackle childhood obesity that includes a free booklet for parents that will be available in creches, health centres, GP surgeries, and from public heath nurses and local libraries.

Consultant paediatrician Dr Sinead Murphy said evidence showed that once obesity was established, it was difficult to reverse.

“Sadly, children who are overweight are at serious risk of becoming adults who are obese. This increases the risk manifold of developing serious illnesses such as type-2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, certain types of cancers, and shortened life expectancy,” she said.

The three-year, all-island campaign by Safefood in partnership with the HSE and Healthy Ireland Framework and the ‘Fitter Futures for All’ implementation plan in the North was launched in Dublin yesterday by Health Minister James Reilly, who said he wanted to encourage everybody to help create generations of healthy children.

Safefood nutritionist Aileen McGloin said they wanted to raise awareness among parents of the high levels of childhood overweight and obesity.

Around 25% of primary school children are overweight or obese and the prevalence of excess weight is also beginning earlier in childhood with 6% of three years old being obese.

“A 14-year-old is, on average, three and a half stone heavier than his grandfather would have been 50 years ago,” said Ms McGloin.

“We are aiming the campaign at parents because they are in a good position to make positive changes to their children’s diets.”

Ms McGloin said they conducted research with parents all over the country and found it was best to have a campaign that conveyed simple messages.

“We know that parents are under pressure and some families are living with food poverty but the kind of advice we are giving will save money.”

Obesity expert Donal O’Shea said the average 12-year-old attending an obesity research clinic at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin weighted 14 and a half stone (90kg).

“We know that 25% of our three year olds are already overweight or obese so we just have to go back earlier and earlier in our attempts at prevention. Parents must look at what they are giving their children; look at their weight and know what it should be.”

Weight gain

Health Minister James Reilly has admitted having a long struggle with his weight.

“I am not happy with the profundity of my rotundity,” he said when launching Safefood’s childhood obesity campaign.

When asked about a newspaper article critical of his weight, Dr Reilly said he was happy for any publicity that brought about a greater awareness of obesity.

Dr Reilly said he was concerned about his weight when he was a member of the Irish Medical Organisation and wrote a paper for the World Medical Association.

“So it is an area that I have had a long, long interest in for obvious reasons and one that I continue to struggle with myself but I will keep struggling,” he said.

Its impact includes diabetes and high blood pressure that will interfere with your ability to enjoy your later years, he said.