Madam, - Kitty Holland's article in your Health Supplement of January 9th - on the role of schools in the battle against obesity - made me laugh and at the same time burn with anger. How can schools fulfil such a role when many do not even have a sports hall?
We are on a Department of Education and Science list for such a facility but have no indication when it will be built. In desperation, the board of management has decided to organise a fundraising campaign for €1.75 million to build a hall.
A good diet and regular exercise are the way to prevent obesity. According to the article, many young people are highly aware of the causes of this problem. But schools cannot reinforce such knowledge or encourage good habits without adequate resources.
- Yours, etc,
CATHERINE CAVANAGH, Principal, St Dominic's High School, Sutton, Dublin 13.