Just 30% of Kids Get Enough Exercise

Just 3 in 10 children in Ireland do the minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity per day, new research has revealed. The figures will come as a wake up call to parents, 80% of whom believe their kids are active for at least an hour per day.

Furthermore, despite the fact that 85% of children enjoy physical activity, they now spend almost as much time watching TV and surfing the web as they do exercising.

And the news is just as bad when it comes to eating habits. The research showed that:

• 60% of parents find it a struggle to get their children to eat healthy food.
• Half of all parents prepare a separate meal for their children.
• Almost 20% of families eat their meals in front of the TV more than 4 times a week, which is associated with poorer eating habits.
• Over half of all parents believe that their children should eat all the food on their plate.
• 40% of parents reward their children for eating all the food on their plate.

The figures were revealed as part of a new campaign to tackle obesity in Ireland. Entitled ‘Little Steps Go A Long Way’, the campaign is a major awareness initiative to show people that small changes to physical activity and food habits will have a big impact on health and obesity. It was launched by The Health Service Executive and safe food in collaboration with the Health Promotion Agency, Northern Ireland.

The problem of obesity is at epidemic proportions among adults and children across the island of Ireland. Previous research has shown that 11% of children aged 5 - 12 years of age are overweight and 11% are obese and this looks set to increase at a rate of 1% every year.

Dr Cliodhna Foley Nolan, Director, Human Health and Nutrition, safe food said there is evidence to suggest that children’s eating habits mirror those of their parents. However, their research shows that while 7 in 10 parents agree with this, just over 1 in 10 would consider changing their own habits as a means of tackling potential obesity problems among their children.

“Physical activity has a positive effect on people’s overall health and not just their body weight. It is now very clear that it is not about severe or fad diets nor is it about running a marathon, but little steps along the way to a healthier future,” said Catherine Murphy, Health Promotion, HSE.

An information booklet, ‘Little Steps Go a Long Way’ is also available on 1850 24 1850. Further information is available at www.littlesteps.eu.

Posted Monday 23rd June 2008