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The Facts: Obesity in Ireland

• 300,000 Irish Children are Obese.
• This number increases by 10,000 annually.
• 1 in 5 Irish children are obese.
• The World Health Organization (WHO 1998) report shows that the prevalence of both adult and childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide.
• 11.6% and 13% of all Irish girls and 10.5% and 9.2% (5-12 years) of boys* are either overweight or obese.

Irish hoteliers want to be part of the solution: The Children's Healthy Eating Initiative

This information is from July 2008 and is taken from the Irish Hotels Federation website

 ‘Foods for Kids’ Menus Launched by Irish Hotels

Children’s Initiative Reinforces Healthy Eating Habits

Food For Kids ResourcesFood for Kids Home PageThe Problem: Obesity in IrelandThe IHF Initiative: Healthy EatingGuidelines for the Healthy Eating InitiativePress Release: Food for Kids ProgrammeSample MenuSample Menu - download in .pdf FormatExamples from Around IrelandCommitment Form: Sign Up Your Establishment

The newly elected President of the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF), Matthew Ryan today announced a children’s healthy eating initiative for hotels and guesthouses across Ireland. The initiative, which promotes more choice for parents, is the first nationally coordinated campaign of its kind in Europe. The IHF will provide chefs with healthy preparation guidelines along with a range of nutritious ‘Family Friendly Menus’ seasonally augmented inline with the availability of fresh produce.

In partnership with independent dietitian Margot Brennan, the initiative will see the roll-out of a comprehensive range of menu options across participating hotels and guesthouses from May 2008 onwards. With an estimated 300,000 children now overweight or obese in Ireland¹, the ‘Family Friendly Menus’ will offer parents fun, interesting and healthy meals that reinforce healthy eating habits with an optimum balance of proteins, carbohydrates and nutrients.

Mr Ryan announced the initiative at the Irish Hotels Federation’s 70^th Annual Conference in Kilkenny to a delegation of over 400 hoteliers. “With obesity in children rising at alarming rates in Ireland, everyone has a role to play in encouraging and promoting healthy food to assist reduce the prevalence of obesity among young people. Healthy eating habits are established early in life, so our aim is to assist parents choose healthier food options for their children,” stated Mr Ryan.

In 2008, Irish hotels and guesthouses will prepare over five million meals for children, providing a significant opportunity to promote healthy eating among their younger guests. Coordinated and supported by the IHF, participating premises will help to address the pressing health issue of childhood obesity by delivering nutritious meals that are tasty, attractive and fun for children. A substantial number of hotels are anticipated to embrace the initiative, which has received wide-spread and enthusiastic support from the Federation’s members.

The healthy eating guidelines will promote:

• Eliminating salt in preparation and cooking
• Offering alternatives to chips
• Using ‘real potatoes’ to make homemade chunky chips with no added salt
• Using vegetables & fruit more imaginatively
• Increasing the use of whole-wheat and oats.
• Providing less fried foods
• Increasing the fibre content in children’s food
• Ensuring a child-friendly presentation of food
• Providing fish, chicken and meat that are nutritious and not processed.

Mr Ryan states, “The World Health Organisation (WHO 1998) report shows that the prevalence of both adult and childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Our initiative will not result in any additional costs being applied, it will just involve different means of cooking and offering more nutritious choices for parents.”

Speaking at the announcement today Margot Brennan welcomed the initiative stating that whilst the prevalence of eating out amongst Irish children is lower than other countries, it is a very important sector to contribute to healthy eating for children. “Food eaten outside the home tends to be higher in recommended rates of fat and lower in overall nutritional quality. This initiative will be a significant step in providing healthy options for parents and children.”

The IHF stated that it hoped that this initiative will play a role in addressing alarming national statistics which include:

§         11.6% of Irish girls aged 5–12 years are overweight while 13% are obese

§         10.5% of Irish boys aged 5–12 years are overweight while 9.2% are obese

§         40% of Irish children exceed the recommended maximum of energy intake from fat.

§         61% of children did not consume enough fibre.

The IHF stated that hotels and guesthouses participating in the initiative will display a symbol so that parents can also make an informed selection on the property they choose to have family meals in. The IHF represents over 1,000 hotels and guesthouses throughout the country. Its members employ 60,000 staff.