One in Four 13-year-olds are Overweight or Obese
Eat Smart – Move Smart to Help Build the Foundation for Healthy Adults
The Nutrition and Health Foundation (NHF) and the Camogie Association have today (12th December 2012) launched ‘Eat Smart – Move Smart’ a food / exercise diary and nutrition guide for teenage camogie players to help them understand the balance between diet, exercise and other activities such as school etc.
One in four 13-year-olds are either overweight or obese and girls are more likely to be classed as overweight or obese than boys. Girls are also much less positive about their body image than boys and the NHF and Camogie Association have developed this booklet to support the building blocks in place with active teenage girls, to help them to balance their diet and activities beyond teenage years through to a healthier adulthood.
This booklet was developed with the input of dietitians, nutritionists, physiotherapists, welfare officers and also involved a number of focus groups amongst teen camogie players from urban and rural areas to ensure that every question which the teenagers were interested in was included. Further questions and topics of interest are also planned and are currently being developed for the NHF and Camogie Association’s websites (see below).
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Muireann Cullen, Dietitian and Manager of the NHF said:
“As obesity patients in hospitals grow younger and heavier , we recognise the need to build a foundation of information among teens to encourage them to eat smart and move smart. This booklet helps them to understand the food pyramid, advises on balance between food, school and sport and tackles issues such as supplements, stress and alcohol.
“The food and exercise diary is an excellent tool for all teenagers, whether active or not, and will help to encourage everyone to be more conscious of the importance of the mantra of ‘energy in’ and ‘energy out’. We would also like to thank our partners, the Camogie Association for helping us to develop this guide, building on Move Smart Week held in July 2012, and we look forward to seeing this booklet and all of the additional information on the website in use by teenagers across Ireland.”
Aileen Lawlor, President of the Camogie Association said:
“The Camogie Association are delighted to partner with the Nutrition and Health Foundation on this fantastic initiative which will provide teenage camogie players with an excellent resource throughout the early stages of their playing career.
“Following on from our Move Smart week, the publication of the diary and nutrition guide is an excellent development. The diary and nutrition guide has taken into account the feedback of numerous groups, including our own players who have played a very important role compiling this. It will be an important resource for the elite and recreational camogie player, involved at club and inter-county juvenile level and an important item in their kit-bag.
“Information on health and nutrition and leading a balanced lifestyle is very important in today's environment and we are pleased that in partnership with the Nutrition and Health Foundation, we are playing our part in this area and catering for the needs of our membership.”
For further information, please contact:
For the Nutrition and Health Foundation:
Pauline Dooley
Murray Consultants
Tel: 01 498 0300 Mob: 087 773 9750
For the Camogie Association:
Claire Egan
Communications & Marketing Director
Te: 01 865 8618 Mob:087 9030755
Notes to Editor:
Pictured: Sophia Martin, Naomh Brid, Dublin Camogie Player, Dr. Muireann Cullen, Manager of the NHF, President of the Camogie Assoc Aileen Lawlor, Ella Carr, St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Rua & Dublin Camogie Player
This booklet was developed with the input of dietitians, nutritionists, physiotherapists, welfare officers and also involved a number of focus groups amongst teen camogie players from urban and rural areas.
The booklet is available to purchase by contacting the Camogie Association on 01 865 8652/01 865 8618 or by email to Paula@camogie.ie and/or Claire@camogie.ie . The Diary and Nutrition Guide is available to purchase at €7.99 which includes post & packaging.
Early orders are advised in advance of Christmas by paying via a Credit card or Laser & Visa debit (ROI only in the case of Visa Debit) by phone or by downloading an order form via camogie.ie and returning with an enclosed payment to the Camogie Association.
About the NHF:
The Nutrition and Health Foundation (NHF) is an independent partnership of industry, government, State agencies, internationally recognised scientists, health professionals and relevant stakeholders working together to address Ireland’s lifestyle, nutrition and health challenges. The NHF communicates evidence based information on nutrition, health and physical activity to encourage an improved and healthier society in Ireland with key initiatives including their free Workplace Wellbeing Campaign, the annual NHF ‘Eat Smart Week’, 2012’s ‘Move Smart Week’ in partnership with the Camogie Association, and its annual Seminar which encourages debate on these core topics. For further information, see www.nhfireland.ie.
