Healthy flags for schools could help combat obesity – O’Donovan

Added January 17th, 2013

Fine Gael Limerick TD, Patrick O’Donovan, has today (Friday) called for the Government to consider introducing a healthy flag system for schools, similar to the Green Flag scheme for the environment, to encourage schools to adopt healthy eating programmes for their students. Deputy O’Donovan has also repeated his call for an obesity tsar to be appointed to front a national campaign to combat obesity.

 “The Green Flag programme, which encourages schools to be environmentally friendly, has been a huge success over the last number of years. Incentives work; and I think the incentive of being offered a ‘Healthy Flag’ could encourage schools to introduce healthy eating and exercise programmes for their students.

 “The ‘Healthy Flag’ system would be primarily focussed on education, and it would not have to result in any extra cost for schools. Students could be encouraged to complete projects on the importance of a balanced diet and exercise.

 “Obesity is an ever increasing problem. For Government, it extends far beyond the Department of Health. Obesity is linked to a range of serious illnesses, putting additional strain on already burdened health service, and on our public finances in general. A recent study by University College Cork, found that the annual cost of obesity is more than €1 billion.

 “I also believe the appointment of an ‘obesity tsar’ could help to raise awareness about this spiralling problem. A well-known personality could help to front an anti-obesity campaign, similar to the way in which Gay Byrne acts as a spokesperson for the Road Safety Authority. This obesity tsar could help to hold policy makers to account to ensure this issue is given the prioritisation it deserves.

 “About two thirds of adults and one in five Irish children are overweight or obese. This in turn is leading to higher rates of cancer, diabetes and other serious conditions. It is only through education on the impact of our lifestyle choices that we will curb this extremely damaging epidemic.”