This campaign is collaboration between the HSE, Safefood and the Health Promotion Agency of Northern Ireland.   We are constantly reminded of the rising obesity rates in this country from newspapers, radio and other media, and indeed it is visible on our streets, in work and in schools.   The fact of the matter is a concerning one in five of our children and teenagers are overweight or obese, while an alarming two out of three Irish adults are overweight or obese.   The problem is many of us don’t realise we ourselves, or indeed our own children, may be in a dangerous weight range for health.    Research proves to us that children are very much influenced by their parents and their home environment when it comes to eating behaviours and taking physical activity.   For instance, children of two active parents are almost 6 times more likely to be active themselves than children whose both parents are inactive.   This is concerning when we know that leading a sedentary lifestyle (i.e. taking little activity) is associated with chronic conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease, Stroke and certain Cancers.    Some parents know they should make healthier choices with food and activity but may feel overwhelmed or ill-equipped to make the necessary changes.  Little Steps is a useful resource that does exactly what it says on the tin – it provides lots of practical tips, encouraging ‘little steps’ towards healthier eating behaviour and more physical activity in our family lives. 
Log onto www.littlesteps.eu for tips on snacking, meals, and fun ideas for taking exercise with your kids.

© Joanne Corbett, BSc, DBS, MSc, MINDI