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'One in four' three-year-olds overweight
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 02/12/2011.
Tags: Parenting Kids HealthThe latest findings from the Growing Up in Ireland study focusing on kids' health have revealed one in four three-year-olds in the country is overweight.
This includes six per cent of youngsters who are classified as obese, the study found, while it also noted those growing up in the most disadvantaged households are more likely to suffer from this problem.
However, overall wellbeing was found to be good, with 75 per cent of children described as very healthy and a further 23 per cent healthy, although boys were more likely than girls to have problems.
The study also looked at the financial circumstances of families and revealed six out of ten parents stated they have difficulty making ends meet, with 63 per cent saying they had been significantly affected by the recession.
Commenting on the results, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald said: "This research highlights the heavy economic strain being experienced by families today, which is deeply disturbing."
Recently, findings from a similar study carried out on nine-year-olds revealed 26 per cent are considered overweight, suggesting this may be an issue that affects children of all ages.
Written by Donal Walsh
Ted Bradley
(02-12-2011 13:54)
The behaviour of children is reflective of behaviour of parent, so if the parents are overweight then children most likely will too, so we (I) as parents need to show by example the way to a healthier lifestyle which requires us (me) to change our diets, lifestyle and do more exercise.
However, this is not to say we (I) cannot influence change in policy to make it easier for children to live a healthier lives and my own hobby horse is the weight of school bags which if were lighten would enable more children to walk/cycle to school. More information can be found at the facebook page - Lighten the schoolbags