Ms Maria Hickey:

Realistically, physical education is extremely important. However, the nutritional side is the key. We look at everything that is said but it is 75% to 80% about nutrition and 20% to 25% about physical education. The home economics and physical education departments in most schools work well together. There are healthy eating or health and well-being weeks. There are many different activities. Physical education is important but from our perspective, nutrition is even more important. That is why we are calling for home economics to be a compulsory subject and be at the forefront in tackling the problem.