Schools must become more involved in promoting active lifestyles among young people, a leading expert on sports medicine has warned.
Dr Conor O'Brien, vice dean of the faculty of exercise and sports medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons, said data indicated there were 300,000 overweight or obese children in the State and that this figure was increasing at a rate of 10,000 per year.
"This problem is not going away and studies show that the situation for our children is actually getting worse." Dr O'Brien was speaking at the publication of a survey of primary school children which shows a majority would like more time in school for physical activity.
The children, aged 10-12 years, were also found to have a high consciousness of what made for a healthy lifestyle, including regular activity and a balanced healthy eating plan. They were aware of the possible detrimental effects of an unhealthy lifestyle, including diabetes, high cholesterol and low energy levels, according to the survey.
Dr O'Brien said the findings were "surprising but reassuring".
"It is quite surprising that kids this young had such knowledge about terms such as 'diabetes' and 'cholesterol'. I don't think they know the details, but that is a great basis, especially when you consider we have been banging on about this for 20 years trying to get adults to listen."
The survey, an element of the Kids in Action Programme in association with the National Sports Council, was conducted through three focus groups in the Munster area.
The chief executive of the Sports Council, John Treacy, said the nation was experiencing a major health and lifestyle problem which could not be ignored.
The Kids in Action Programme is run by the Irish Sports Council and co-sponsored by the supermarket chain SuperValu. The chain commissioned this research which was carried out with groups of primary school children, with parental permission, in December.
