Mr. Geoffrey Browne:

The National Parents Council Post Primary, NPCpp, is grateful to the joint committee for the opportunity to make this opening statement on behalf of parents of students attending post-primary schools. We believe that to address this matter we must act on a societal basis and that Government agencies, educators, families and communities must work together to educate children, their parents and the society we live in. We must teach an understanding of the dangers of obesity and how we can move towards addressing these issues to effectively deal with this very real problem.

One statistic that springs to mind from Professor O'Shea's research, which relates to socioeconomic disadvantage, is that 12% of three year olds in socially deprived areas are obese, while 4% of three year olds in better off areas are obese. There is a massive disparity by the age of three. We know that consumption of sugar sweetened drinks, SSDs, is associated with obesity and we believe that well designed taxes can be effective in discouraging consumption of these drinks.

Last year the childhood obesity surveillance initiative, COSI, was published. It was carried out by the HSE in conjunction with the national surveillance centre at UCD. The findings indicated that we still have a significant way to go in creating environments in homes, schools and communities where every child has the potential to grow and develop healthily from birth into adulthood. I will highlight three of the ten steps identified by the HSE. They are: the reformulation of food products to reduce sugar, fat and salt levels; reducing exposure to marketing and promotion of foods high in fat, salt and sugar along with fiscal measures such as the sugar tax and; increasing access to free drinking water in schools.

Looking to the future, we believe that, together with the necessary steps to curtail the consumption of problem foods and beverages we must educate society by working together towards a common goal. We suggest that schools and community venues can host informative parents' evenings to educate parents on how to reduce the use of sugar and problem foods in the home. That would help parents to make better choices in the home which would hopefully guide their children in turn to make better decisions when eating during the day. Tackling childhood obesity on a united front will, we feel, be most successful in guiding children and parents to make better choices.

Serious consideration should be given to a ban on vending machines that contain problem foods and snacks in schools and public places where children congregate. At the very least in these areas, problem snacks in vending machines should be replaced with healthier options. All schools should provide healthy options in their school canteen or tuck shop.

More physical activity after school and in free time should be encouraged and catered for. Adults in our communities should lead by example. We should avoid the car and walk to school in the mornings, where safe to do so, or head out for a family cycle in the evenings or at weekends. Facilities to pursue such outdoor exercise must be made available in all communities. We should strive to ensure that we assist educators to inform and encourage children and families to follow healthier lifestyles. We need to provide advice on healthier lunches and menus at school and home, education aids and sessions for children and parents about nutrition, facilities and infrastructure for exercise and encouragement towards physical activity as a social and family entertainment option.

What we do in homes, schools and communities to build healthy habits for all children and families is vital to our efforts to prevent childhood obesity. These are the critical habits that will help those children who are a healthy weight now to stay a healthy weight and those who are overweight or obese to achieve a healthier weight as they grow and develop.

Stigmatisation is something we must take into account. We must bear in mind that children are sensitive beings. It is important that guidance and advice on obesity and healthy living is understanding and caring. Those on which NPCpp are focussed are also young adults and we must be careful, therefore, not to just dictate. We must involve children and their parents in the process. Leading by example will be more useful than enforcement at this age. Care should be taken to ensure that any obesity prevention work that is carried out in schools and society does not stigmatise overweight children or introduce children to thoughts of negative body image. The focus should be on the health of the children and not their weight.

Although the focus of the NPCpp is on post-primary students, we suggest that the root of the obesity problem may often begin in earlier years. We believe that the best solution can be achieved through a holistic plan being put in place to assist educators, families and communities to address this serious issue together. The NCPpp believe that existing green spaces, parks and playing fields must be preserved for leisure purposes and not closed or sold by agencies or Departments for non-leisure purposes. All schools must have physical education, PE, facilities and all classes must be timetabled for PE each week.

We suggest that the use of state healthcare and education resources in the battle against obesity would be advisable and productive. Prevention is better than cure. We should focus on the health of children from an early age with funds being invested in health education at preschool and primary schools as well as post-primary facilities. That would change lifestyle and health in Ireland for the better. The NPCpp is keen to play its part in the development of a plan and strategy towards a healthier society in which children can live and learn.