Childhood obesity – a weighty issue for Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland over half a million adults are overweight and a further 250,000 are obese. Today the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland warned that poor choices in eating habits and lifestyle by adults are affecting the health of children as increases in childhood obesity emerge.

Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive of the Health Promotion Agency explained:
“The statistics for adults are worrying but there is an increasing concern for children, where a similar pattern is emerging. In Northern Ireland a third of boys and a quarter of girls aged 12 are carrying excess weight. Research shows that obesity can impact on a child’s life on many levels and casts a shadow over future health. Obesity can present immediate and future health problems including high blood pressure, raised blood cholesterol levels and an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. Overweight children can also suffer from psychological problems including depression and a lack of self-confidence and self-esteem.”

It is now generally agreed among health professionals that the fundamental causes of the growing obesity epidemic are inactive lifestyles and high fat, high calorie eating patterns resulting from the changes taking place in society and our food culture.

To encourage parents and carers to help children make healthier lifestyle and food choices, the British Dietetic Association has launched an ‘Eat 2b Fit’ campaign which will run throughout the month of June. The campaign will provide children, schools and families with advice on eating a balanced and varied diet for good health and gives tips on how to top up physical activity levels. As part of this campaign registered dietitians across the UK will be working with children and their carers encouraging them to ‘Eat 2b Fit’.

Dr Gaffney said that the Health Promotion Agency welcomed the ‘Eat 2b Fit’ initiative and he outlined the campaign advice:
“Meals in a healthy diet should be based around starchy foods such as bread, potatoes and cereals. Everyone should try to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and go easy on foods and drinks high in fats or sugar. Increased physical activity will also help to promote weight loss and general good health.”

Dr Gaffney continued:
“In support of the British Dietetic Association’s ‘Eat 2b Fit’ campaign, the latest issue of the Health Promotion Agency journal Promoting Health has focused on the issue of obesity. Issued to professionals throughout Northern Ireland with an interest in, or responsibility for, health, Promoting Health journal provides an insight into the causes and extent of the problem here. We hope it will stimulate debate about how health, education and other professionals can work together to tackle this serious problem.”

Interested members of the public can access the Promoting Health journal through the Health Promotion Agency website at www.healthpromotionagency.org.uk .

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Notes to editors:

1. The British Dietetic Association, founded in 1936, is the professional association for Registered Dietitians (RDs) in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The BDA has over 5,000 members. More information can be found at www.bda.uk.com

For further information:

Contact Jenny Dougan or Margaret McCrory at the Health Promotion Agency on 028 9031 1611.