The Irish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Study 2006

The Irish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Study 2006 This report presents data from the HBSC Ireland 2006, the Irish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey. The 2006 HBSC survey is the third time that data of this kind has been collected from young people across the Republic of Ireland; previous surveys were conducted in 2002 and 1998. Click here to download PDF 1.3mb

The Irish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Study 2010

This report presents data from the HBSC Ireland 2010, the Irish Health Behaviour in Schoolaged Children survey. The 2010 HBSC survey is the fourth time that data of this kind have been collected from young people across the Republic of Ireland; previous surveys were conducted in 2006, 2002 and 1998 (www.nuigalway.ie/hbsc).   Click here to download PDF 1.2mb

Young People's Health in Great Britain and Ireland: Findings from the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC)Survey, 2006.

This report presents data from the 2006 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey; a World Health Organization (WHO) collaborative cross-national study and focuses on data collected from young people in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It expands on the findings from the international report Inequalities in Young People's Health (Currie et al, 2008), with additional variables and prevalence rates that allows more comprehensive and focussed comparisons to be made between the four countries.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Family centred, school based intervention for the prevention of obesity in primary school-aged children

The aim of this pilot study was to develop, deliver and monitor a programme aimed at the prevention of obesity in primary school children. Objectives1. To develop a school-based / family-orientated intervention programme to prevent obesity in children under 10 years of age. 2. To implement an intervention programme that is acceptable and appropriate for primary school-aged children. 3. To monitor and evaluate the programme and determine if there is an appropriateintervention(s) to prevent obesity in primary school-aged children. 4. If a successful programme(s) is identified, disseminate this at a national level.

Body Weight and Eating Habits in 5-12-Year Old Irish Children

A shared goal of safefood and the Health Service Executive (HSE) is to improve the health of the Irish population. One of the greatest public health threats facing all developed countries today, including the island of Ireland, is obesity. It is crucial that the various sectors and disciplines in the country work together to successfully deal with this growing issue. The Department of Health and Children (DoHC) published a strategy for obesity in 2005 which identified children and young people as a vulnerable, at-risk group. Both safefood and the HSE recognise the growing trend towards obesity, physical inactivity and unhealthy dietary habits in Ireland. Both organisations have been actively engaged in addressing the obesity epidemic. A number of initiatives targeted at school-aged children have already been established. These include the ‘Little Steps’ mass media campaign (www.littlesteps.eu) – a campaign aimed at supporting parents/guardians of children, as well as various school-based initiatives and relevant training programmes for health professionals.

Health and social inequalities in English adolescents: Exploring the importance of school, family and neighbourhood

The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study was established 22 years ago. It is cross-national research conducted by an international network of teams in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe. Its aim is to gain new insight into young people۪s health, wellbeing and health behaviour, including links with their social context. Researchers from three countries started the HBSC study in 1982 and since then, a growing number of countries and regions have joined the study. This report presents findings from the 2001/2 English part of the study, which was carried out on behalf of the Health Development Agency by BMRB Social Research. This is the third time the survey has been carried out in England; previous surveys took place in 1995 and 1997.

Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Primary Schools

Food & Nutrition Guidelines for Primary Schools The Government has identified school children as one group to be given priority during the planning and delivery of programmes and initiatives for good health throughout life. In the Governmentâ?Ts National Health Promotion Strategy 2000/2005, the two major objectives for children are: Click here to download PDF 458kb

National Health and Lifestyle Surveys

Results of the National Health and Lifestyle Surveys: SLaN [Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition] and HBSC [Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children] Two baseline surveys of health related behaviours among adults and schoolgoing young people were carried out across the Republic of Ireland in 1998 and again in 2002. The main aims of these surveys are to: - Produce reliable data of a representative cross-section of the Irish population in order to inform the Department of Health and Children's policy and programme planning. - Maintain a survey protocol which will enable lifestyle factors to be remeasured so that trends can be identified and changes monitored to assist national and regional setting of priorities in health promotion activities. In keeping with the health and lifestyle surveillance system of many European countries a number of related factors were measured in both surveys. These include general health, smoking, use of alcohol and other substances, food and nutrition, exercise and accidents. This work was commissioned by the Health Promotion Unit, Department of Health and Children and carried out at the Centre for Health Promotion Studies, National University of Ireland, Galway.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

National Health and Lifestyle Surveys. Regional Summary Report (2003)

Two baseline surveys of health related behaviours among adults and school-going young people were carried out across the Republic of Ireland in 1998 and again in 2002. The main aims of these surveys are to: - Produce reliable data of a nationally representative cross-section of the Irish population in order to inform the Department of health and Children's policy and programme planning. - Maintain a survey protocol which will enable lifestyle factors to be re-measured so that trends can be identified and changes monitored to assist national and regional setting of priorities in health promotion activities. This report focuses on these two cross-sectional studies, SLaN (Survey of Lifestyles, Attitudes and Nutrition) adults aged 18+ years and HBSC (health Behaviour in School-aged Children) school-going children aged 10-17 years. In keeping with the health and lifestyle surveillance system of many European countries a number of related factors were measured in both surveys. These include general health, smoking, use of alcohol and other substances, food and nutrition, exercise and accidents. This report presents the findings for the same topics at a regional level with some demographic analysis. It must be noted that the aim of the survey was to establish patterns in health and lifestyle at a national level. The significance therefore of findings at the regional level is to identify potential variations that may merit further investigation. This work was commissioned by the health Promotion Unit, Department of health and Children and carried out at the Centre for health Promotion Studies, national University of Ireland, Galway, and at the Department of Public health Medicine and Epidemiology, Woodview House, Belfield, national University of Ireland, Dublin.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

What is a serving size: A guide for pre-schools

This guide offers practical help to all those providing food for pre-school age children. It is a pictorial manual giving real life serving sizes to guide care-givers, parents and guardians on suitable size servings. This booklet also provides sound advice on family-style eating habits, the introduction of new foods and the environment which nurtures healthy eating habits for life. Establishing good lifestyle habits, including positive attitudes and behaviours around food is one of the key cornerstones to shaping future health. This starts during the pre-school years when children grow rapidly and begin to learn about the environment around them. Providing an environment that supports healthy eating both at home and at school is important. It is well recognised that gauging portion sizes for young children can besomewhat difficult; they need to be adequate without being excessive.

Family, Food & Fitness

NHS Warwickshire (NHSW), Warwickshire County Council (WCC) and partners aim to reduce childhood obesity in various ways including through the provision of evidence based structured nine week family based treatment programmes. These programmes will support families with overweight and/or obese children to maintain a healthy weight using a holistic approach. Two types of programmes will run across the county: the first programme will be aimed at families with overweight and/or obese children aged 4-7 and the second programme will be aimed at families with overweight and/or obese children aged 8-13.The target group for participating in this programme is children who are overweight (as defined by > 91st percentile) or obese (as defined by > 98th percentile). Programmes will established and delivered in a variety of venues and times. Objectives: - To deliver evidence based structured family based weight management programmes across Nuneaton, Bedworth and North Warwickshire. - To recruit families with overweight and/or obese children on to programmes, targeting the areas of highest need. - To promote sustained BMI maintenance and reduction amongst overweight (as defined by > 91st percentile) and obese (as defined by < 98th percentile) children and young people aged 4-7 and 8-13. - To support positive changes in behaviour (i.e. healthy eating, physical activity, positive mental well-being) by children and family members in order to achieve and maintain healthy weight over the course of the nine week programme. - To provide families with the information, skills and confidence to maintain healthy lifestyles in the longer term, including personalised exit strategies/sustainability plans for each participant. - To signpost families to community based and leisure services activities which contribute to maintaining a healthy weight. - To evaluate all programmes using the National Obesity Observatory Standard Evaluation Framework (SEF) and to produce a written evaluation report of the programme with recommendations on how to sustain healthy weight among children and families. - To evaluate the programme using validated diet and physical activity tools as recommended by the recent Worcester University (www.ifh.westmidlands.nhs.uk for the Worcester University Report) evaluation. Deliver eight programmes across Nuneaton and Bedworth and eight programmes across North Warwickshire for children aged 4 7 years by December 2012. Deliver eight programmes across Nuneaton and Bedworth and eight programmes across North Warwickshire for children aged 8 - 13 years by December 2012. Deliver a minimum of 32 taster sessions, with at least one prior to each programme start date. Reduce childhood obesity in primary aged children and their families. Improve healthy lifestyles in primary aged children and their families through healthy eating, physical activity and positive mental well-being.

Drug and Alcohol Knowledge and Use Amongst Primary School Children (PDF 246 KB)

Mar-04

Immunisation for pre-school children three to five years old (English and 10 translations)

This booklet contains the facts about the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis) and polio, and the MMR booster given to children before they start school

Healthy child, healthy future - Speech and language therapy: Factsheet for parents 6. Tips for talking: children aged 4 to 5 years

This factsheet highlights simple ideas to encourage speech in children around 4 to 5 years old.

New interactive resource feeds children's curiosity

The Public Health Agency and safefood today (Wednesday 22 June) officially launched Eat, Taste and Grow, a new interactive curriculum based education resource to help increase awareness among primary school children of the origins of their food, local produce and the role this plays in healthy eating. As research in 2006 showed, 18% of children aged 2-15 years in Northern Ireland were reported to be obese; and provisional data in 2008-2009 showed that 22.5% of children entering Year 1 were already overweight (17%) or obese (5%).* The launch of Eat, Taste and Grow is an innovative collaboration between the PHA and safefood that will provide children with lifelong lessons about the food they eat, healthy eating options and the benefits of an active lifestyle.The free teacher-led CD-ROM resource will be sent to every primary school across Northern Ireland by September 2011 and will help increase awareness among primary school children of the origins of their food and local produce, and the role this plays in healthy eating.Speaking at the event, Health Minister Edwin Poots said: "Being obese as a child can store up problems for the future, leading to a reduction in life expectancy and potentially causing other health problems such as increased risk of coronary heart disease, cancer and Type 2 Diabetes."Currently around one in four girls and one in six boys in Primary One (Year 1) are overweight or obese."Many of our children are not as physically active as they should be, nor do they have a healthy, balanced diet."This new resource will help teachers in our primary schools educate children on how to choose what foods are healthier for them which hopefully they will carry with them into adulthood."Dr Eddie Rooney, Chief Executive, PHA said: "The Public Health Agency recognises the need to give every child a healthy start in life. Schools play a vital role in contributing to the development of knowledge and skills necessary to make healthier food choices and laying the foundation for good eating habits which can then be carried through into adulthood. Eat, Taste and Grow is an excellent resource that will help equip teachers to carry out this role and in turn enable children to make healthier choices."Mr Martin Higgins, CEO safefood said: "We know and understand the challenges faced by parents to encourage children to eat healthy foods. As obesity among children continues to rise, this interactive resource will educate children in a fun and engaging way while providing them with the information to make informed, responsible choices throughout their lives."The Eat, Taste and Grow resource is an interactive CD-ROM for use on a whiteboard or computer and is divided into: Foundation, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Topics include 'Where does our food come from?', 'Who produces our food?', 'How food grows' and 'How food is produced and preserved'. Each topic has accompanying teacher's notes and includes ideas for classroom discussions, role play, games and quiz suggestions.