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Presentation to Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, November 2012. About the NHF. Established in 2005 Innovative multi-stakeholder approach – obesity is everyone’s responsibility Focus on positive balanced messaging
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Presentation to Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, November 2012
About the NHF • Established in 2005 • Innovative multi-stakeholder approach – obesity is everyone’s responsibility • Focus on positive balanced messaging • Bringing together those with interest in healthy lifestyle promotion i.e. diet and exercise
NHF Mission & Objectives Mission: communicate evidence based information on nutrition, health & physical activity to encourage an improved and healthier society in Ireland Objectives: promote a healthy Ireland through: • Consumer Understanding – research projects • Communication – initiatives based on research • Working with Government/Non-Government • Further development of the NHF – greater representation via companies & organisations
ObesityThe Cause: A Great Debate (Some examples only) • Parenting practices & behaviour • Marketing/Advertising • TV/computers/games • The food industry • Inexpensive “unhealthy” food vs. expensive “healthy” food • The environment • Individual responsibility • Lack of sleep • Energy balance: calories in/out • Physical inactivity • Healthy vs. Unhealthy food choices • Eating behaviours • Food behaviours • At home vs. away from home • Genetics • Community design • Automobile culture No single cause – everyone needs to be involved and working together
Why are we here? (1) • Childhood obesity & its prevention • Foetal origins of disease – key in development of diseases in adulthood • Support of NHF and its multi-stakeholder approach in helping to address obesity using evidence based information.
Who to prioritise in relation to childhood obesity? (1) • Pregnant women • Foetal origins of disease & the first 1000 days of life; most important • Weight gain, breastfeeding & weaning practices • Opportunity at first GP presentation
Who to prioritise in relation to childhood obesity? (2) • Children • Need good nutrition & physical activity normalised • Healthy eating guidelines for preschools and schools should made compulsory • Healthy lifestyle initiatives should be made compulsory • NHF & RAI • with the
Other NHF activities • NHF annual seminar:examines role of public & private sectors in tackling obesity • Thought leadership; national & international speakers, food and beverage industry, NGOs on work in nutrition, lifestyle & physical activity • Workplace wellbeing Campaign • Eat Smart Week – healthy eating week • Move Smart Week – physical activity week • Nutrition guide & diary for the teenage Camogie player
Multi-stakeholder approach • many other influences play a role in prevention & management of overweight & obesity • government departments, education, food & beverage industry, sectors responsible for physical environments, social & community sectors • A coordinated approach across all sectors and Government departments is required.