New resource to feed children’s curiosity is launched at local school

‘Eat, Taste and Grow’ is an collaboration between Safefood and the Public Health Agency to give children lifelong lessons about the food they eat, healthy eating options and the benefits of an active lifestyle.

The free teacher-led CD resource will be sent to every primary school across Northern Ireland by this September 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 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 of the 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.”