FAT’S IT
Vending machines & snacks to be banned from schools
VENDING machines and sugary drinks are set to be removed from schools in a Government bid to crush childhood obesity.
Promoting healthy lifestyles, good nutrition and greater access to physical education have also been recommended in a report. With a third of children overweight, a Joint Committee told of grave concern for a “future health epidemic”. Spokeswoman Fiona O’loughlin said: “Focus is on the measures that can implemented at school level, including the banning of unhealthy snacks from school vending machines and canteens.”
JUNK food should be banned from school tuck shops and canteens to stop Irish children getting fat, a report warned yesterday.
And vending machines with unhealthy snacks should be removed to halt an obesity epidemic.
The Joint Committee on Education and Skills said not just parents but schools should be involved in tackling the problem of overweight kids.
The report called on teachers to promote healthy lifestyles and eating and provide physical education.
A study last October revealed almost a third of children are overweight.
In 1975 just 1% of pupils were classed as obese compared to 9% of girls and 10% of boys last year.
The Report On Tackling Of Obesity And The Promotion Of Healthy Eating In Schools said it is the time to tackle the crisis.
The recommendations include: ■ getting rid of vending machines in schools that are stocked with unhealthy foods and drinks
■ banning junk food and drinks from school tuck shops and canteens
■ fresh drinking water should be provided for free
■ revenue from the sugar tax should be used to promote a healthy weight and active lifestyles, and
■ more activity for children at school break times.
PLAYGROUNDS
The committee said fixed playgrounds in primary schools where possible should be given consideration by the Education Minister.
Schools without access to physical education facilities should also be prioritised under the new building programme.
Land and green spaces should also be protected so pupils can use them for sports and exercise.
Chair of the Dail body on education and skills Fiona O’loughlin said: “The Joint Committee is gravely concerned about prevalence of childhood obesity in Ireland and the potential for a future health epidemic.
“With this in mind, we decided to focus on producing a report that would make practical recommendations that could be incorporated in the Government’s plans for tackling childhood obesity.
“The committee’s focus is on the measures that can be taken and implemented at school level, including greater access to physical education (PE) and the banning of unhealthy snacks from school vending machines and canteens.
“Childhood obesity is a problem across the developed world and it is a complex problem, in that it is driven by biological, behavioural and contextual factors.”
Ms O’loughlin said it costs the State around €1billion each year to treat people who are overweight.
She added: “It is essential ongoing school programmes, teacher training, and training for communities and parents are in place to reverse trends.
“The committee hopes this report will inform the Minister for Education’s policy development and we look forward to seeing the implementation of some or all of our recommendations.” Health promotion group safefood welcomed the report. Spokeswoman Dr Cliodhna Foleynolan: “A lot of very good work is already being done by our schools, whether through their lunchbox policies, Healthy Eating Weeks, Food Dudes or Active School Flags.
“But schools can only do so much and parents also need to support what schools are doing by leading by example at home. Our healthy eating and active living START campaign is about that – making a small change and sticking with that change.”
THE new report which calls for ban on vending machines in schools in a bid to tackle childhood obesity is to be welcomed.
For years the nutritionists and child healthcare experts have been calling their sale of unhealthy foods and drinks to end.
The other measures in the report from the Joint Committee on Education and Skills must also be followed up.
It is essential there is a concerted effort to promote healthy lifestyles and nutrition, as well as the provision of physical education to youngsters as soon as they start school.
In a sense this is a case of preventing obesity before it begins.
While the report’s call for fresh drinking water to be freely available to all school-going children is great, many parents will be shocked to find that is not already the case.
The recommendation that schools with little or no access to physical education facilities should be prioritised under the school building programme is welcome news too.
There must also be a greater emphasis on PE in post-primary education as well as the construction of public gyms and playgrounds.
Educating parents about the importance of providing their children with a healthy diet should also be a priority.
We can save a generation from a lifetime of poor health – and also save the health service billions of euro in the long term.