A Child's Heart...for Life - Irish Heart Week 25th September - October 1 

19th September 2005 

During Irish Heart Week The Health Service Executive South Eastern Area aims to help parents today who face a huge challenge in ensuring the health of their children and in encouraging positive lifestyle habits for adulthood. This year Irish Heart Week focuses on 'A Child's Heart ...for Life' and aims to provide information and support for parents about healthy eating and active living for children and their families.

Susan Higgins, Community Dietician Manager says, "High fat, sugary snacks, processed foods and fizzy drinks are aimed at our children and at the same time TV, computer games, safety concerns and access to sports/play facilities reduce the opportunity for our children to be active.  The problem is that a diet low in fruit and vegetables and based on foods high in sugar, fat and salt ('junk food'), along with physical inactivity, lays the foundation for adult illnesses such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease and cancer'. 

Children and young people need to be physically active at moderate intensity for one hour every day, this can be accumulated during several short sessions throughout the day. Active children are very likely to become active adults. All types of activity are important including informal play, games, physical education, walking to school and sport. As well as physical benefits, being active helps children develop confidence and friendships.

In recent years childhood obesity has become a concern for families. Healthy eating and activity habits laid down in childhood are the best defence against overweight both in youth and adulthood. The good news is that parents can have a huge influence on their children's health by being a role model.  Small changes like eating together as a family, buying a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and taking time to be active with your children on most days can help reap big health benefits for both body and mind.

The Health Promotion Department works in partnership with schools to help promote healthy choices and balanced lifestyles.  A number of initiatives have been ongoing in the region over the years.  School break times are an important time for healthy options.  The 'Munch & Crunch' project helps to encourage children to eat a nutritious lunch, while a playground markings project aims to engage children in lively fun games at their break times.  Training is provided for professionals involved with children; training in food and nutrition guidelines are offered to childcare providers and the 'Action for Life' programme offers training to primary school teachers on a health related physical activity programme. The Switch Off-Get Active project was aimed at encouraging children to reduce their 'screen time' and achieve a balance between active outdoor games and watching TV and playing computer games.