The Growing up in Ireland study shows healthy eating and Incredible Edibles initiative more important now than ever, says Agri Aware.
Healthy eating habits formed in early childhood are essential to combating obesity in later life, according to Agri Aware, the independent agri-food educational body.
The study, carried out by ESRI and Trinity College researchers, found that 40 per cent of the teenage girls surveyed were trying to lose weight and that 60 per cent of 13-year-olds were exercising almost every second day.
But exercise is only half the battle, says Agri Aware. The organisation’s chairman Bernard Donohue says healthy eating is key for a healthy lifestyle – at primary school level and throughout children’s lives, and that it is an area in which Agri Aware’s Incredible Edibles initiative can help. “The project encourages increased consumption of Irish potatoes, fruits, and vegetables, and we in Agri Aware feel that this could be a big help to parents and teachers in their bid to combat childhood obesity levels.”
Incredible Edibles aims to educate primary school children about food origin, quality and the importance of eating Irish potatoes, fruit,and vegetables. It aims to boost children’s intake of these foods by inspiring them to grow their own strawberries, carrots, turnips, potatoes and lettuce. Schools across Ireland can sign up to the Incredible Edibles project for free – and there’s still time to do so, between now and the registration closing time which is the end of December.
Teachers can register their class for the initiative between now and the end of December, either by post or online, at www.incredibleedibles.ie For more information contact Agri Aware at 01 460 1103.
