Seanad debates

Wednesday, 23 November 2011

Health Awareness and Physical Fitness: Motion

 

In the context of obesity, prevention is better than cure. If obesity is allowed to take hold, it will do untold damage. Unfortunately, drugs alone will not solve the problem. What is required to halt the onset of this condition on a wide scale is a cultural transformation in respect of food and fitness. We all must buy in to that transformation. Senator Eamonn Coghlan is not only someone who is in a position to comment on this matter, he is also, in light of his expertise and sporting achievements, of which we are all so very proud, the perfect candidate to head up this transformation. It is worth nothing that a teacher does not have to be an ex-Olympian, Senator Eamonn Coghlan or a physical education expert to motivate children to run, dance, skip, have some fun and work towards a life of health, well-being and great enjoyment. The impressive document with which Members have been presented was designed to facilitate this debate. However, I am of the view that it involves much more than that. The document is an indicator on a map which relates to the route we must take in the context of how we teach physical education and fitness. In addition, it will be key to the transformation to which I referred if we are to stop obesity in its tracks.

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