Seanad debates

Wednesday, 17 May 2017

Childhood Obesity: Statements

 

10:30 am

Photo of Grace O'SullivanGrace O'Sullivan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

It is great to see the Minister of State, Deputy Corcoran Kennedy in the Chamber. We are hearing of the growing problem of childhood obesity and the ways in which we might begin to tackle it. The issue is complex, with part of the problem being access to good nutrition and part being a balance of physical activity. I would like to focus on girls and young women's lack of involvement in exercise and sport, in particular the drop-off rate in activity that seems prevalent among girls as they go through secondary school. This gender difference has serious consequences for the lifetime health and well-being of these young women and girls.

I am a mother of three girls and I have always been interested in and engaged in sport and other physical activity, especially surfing. I still enjoy teaching young people to surf on my native strand in Tramore.

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