Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 18 April 2018
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs
Tackling Childhood Obesity: Discussion
9:30 am
Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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The stigma point is very important. I have often raised points in the Seanad and I have heard different Senators, and one in particular, saying "for God's sake, they are just fat". Much of the time parents are trying their best but they are busy, so by the time they realise it is an issue, the people concerned could be moving into the emotional side. If one comes down heavily on a child at that point, there could be other issues that outweigh - pardon the pun - any physical ailment or difficulty. I am on my hobby horse but I must stop. I thank the witnesses for coming in. Practical steps for the report would be very helpful.