Activity scheme targets overweight children
An activity scheme aimed at tackling childhood obesity has been launched in the south east as it emerged one in three youngsters is overweight.
The pilot programme focuses on educating parents in the hope they will encourage children to eat healthily and become more active.
A study by the South Eastern Health Board (SEHB) revealed 8% of children aged 9-11 are clinically obese, and another 33% overweight.
The SEHB said the findings were consistent with evidence of a growing obesity epidemic and proof that prevention should begin at a young age.
Paula Carroll, research officer at the Board’s Health Promotion Unit, said: “Parents are encouraged to interact with their children through active play.
“Ideally parental education should begin in the antenatal class and reinforced once their baby is born.”
Staff have already begun training for the Childsplay scheme, originally designed in New Zealand.
Workshops are being held for parents and activity manuals dispatched to 300 family homes across the region.
Some 30 specialist childcare operators have been trained by the Cork-based Atlantic Sports Management Training company.
Ms Carroll added: “Many parents have expressed how their level of interaction with their children has improved.
“Children are more focused and are calmer when activity is over. They are more clued into children's likes and dislikes.”
The board hopes the scheme will go some way to solving what it describes as an “obesity timebomb”.
