- Levels of childhood obesity in Ireland have reached epidemic proportions with over 30,000 Irish children to be obese.
- One in 5 Irish children is considered to be obese.10% of children between the ages 5-12 in Ireland are obese.
- Obese children generally go on to become obese adults, causing huge health complications for their future. There are many contributory factors, but Irish diets are central to the on-going weight problem.
- Another key issue is activity levels or more precisely, the lack thereof. Young obese people are five to ten times more likely to go on to develop diabetes.
Activities that were commonplace 20 years ago but may not be possible today such as walking to school could be replaced where possible with e.g. playing sports or a walk after school or swimming etc.
- A healthy eating week is organised in Banagher College for the week of the 18th-22nd of March.
- The school programme includes, cookery demonstrations, “Tasty Snack Food”, free snack food (available at morning break), an activity programme “Fit 4 Life” talks on “Positive Thinking” for a healthy mind and “Walk to School “ programme.
- Students where possible and weather permitting may walk to and from school, on the paths provided. Where this is not possible, a student could be encouraged to take a walk at weekends, or after school, or get involved in some other preferred outdoor activity.
10 Tips for Healthy Eating
- Buy Smaller Portions
It is not necessary to get rid of all sweets and desserts.Buy a small bar or small drink.
- Shop Smarter
Fizzy drinks contain a lot of sugar, try water or milk.
- Make fruit / Yoghurt an everyday snack
Bring fruit e.g. apples, pears or bananas as a snack to school
- Sweets and chocolate are not everyday foods.
Limit treats to maybe once a week
- Lunch Time
Choose the healthy option, pasta, backed potato wedges, homemade soups, brown bread sandwich or toasted sandwiches.
- Order your lunch in the morning
Don’t wait until you are very hungry to order food.
We are all inclined to buy the ‘fast food’ option
- Substitute the ‘healthy option’ at lunch even once a week
- Substitute the larger portion
For example large fizzy drinks or chips for the normal size
- Think positive about exercise
One should include three forms of exercise weekly
• Maybe a short walk after school
• Swim – half an hour
• Walk to school
• Play or train at your preferred sport - Enjoy your food
Take the time to fully enjoy your food as you eat it. Eating too fast or when your attention is elsewhere may lead to eating too much convenience food. Cut back on foods high in solid fats, added sugars and salt. These include processed cakes, biscuits, sweets and fizzy drinks.
Download 10 Tips for Healthy Eating
A big Thank You to our sponsors!
| HEALTHY EATING WEEK
I wish to thank all the generous sponsors who made this week such a success.
F Clossick |
