Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 24 October 2017

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills

Tackling Obesity and the Promotion of Healthy Eating in Schools: Discussion

4:00 pm

Ms Claire Heneghan:

In the same study, one in three children had never climbed a tree. The term "cottonwool kids" was used to describe this new phenomenon of children today who spend the vast majority of time indoors. It is time to get back to basics. With more resources used to target our uninspiring playgrounds physical activity will be promoted automatically in schools. Utilising break times can make a significant difference to children's health. Little to no training is needed for teachers to implement activity-promoting playgrounds. It is a concrete legacy that will exist for many years to come in school communities. Doing nothing is not an option. This committee can have an enormous impact. We need action now. I would relish the opportunity to be part of putting the recommendations on the ground.