§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the levels of obesity among children of school age; what steps he is taking to encourage exercise and healthy eating among school children; and if he will make a statement. [171985]
§ Angela SmithIndependent research carried out in 1996 reported that 16 per cent. of 13 and 14-year-olds were overweight. This figure included 3.5 per cent. of boys and 2 per cent. of girls, classified as obese. Additional research on levels of overweight and obesity in children in Northern Ireland is likely to become available in the near future.
A task force is being established under the auspices of the Ministerial Group on Public Health to consider and 263W evaluate options for tackling obesity in children and young people in Northern Ireland. The task force is expected to make recommendations on how levels of obesity in children should be assessed in future.
Some £500,000 has been made available in 2004–05 for the promotion of physical activity and a new physical activity strategy and action plan will be issued for public consultation before the summer. The Department is also encouraging a healthy diet among school children through programmes such as the pilot, Fresh Fruit in Schools initiative. In addition, the Department of Education has recently launched a 12-month pilot scheme to improve the nutritional standard of school meals.