Fatty foods driving obesity epidemic among schoolchildren

20/05/2005 - 12:52:37
Primary school children are getting heavier because they are eating too much fat and sugar, according to a study conducted by researchers at UCC and UCD.

The study of 600 primary schoolchildren found consumption of unhealthy food was the main factor driving Ireland's obesity epidemic.

The researchers found that 14% of girls between the ages of eight and 12 were obese, compared to just 5% 15 years ago.

In boys of the same age, obesity levels were found to have risen from 6% to 8% in the same period.