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One quarter of primary school children overweight (and 12 per cent saying 'no' to fruit)

Over 1,000 children were surveyed as part of a wide-ranging study carried out by UCC. Clear lifestyle differences were observed amongst children in the ‘overweight’ category.

A NEW STUDY has found that 25 per cent of primary school children are overweight or obese.

Over one thousand children in third or fourth class from 27 Cork primary schools took part in the research, which was carried out by the Department of Public Health at UCC.

20 per cent of the children participating were found to be overweight, while a further 5 per cent were classified as obese. 7 per cent of girls were categorised as obese, compared to 4 per cent of boys.

The report’s authors said there were clear lifestyle differences between normal weight children and children who were overweight and obese.

Lifestyle

The report found that:

  • Over twice as many obese children did no hard activity over a seven-day period, compared to normal weight children.
  • One in five children watched three or more hours of TV, while almost 40 per cent spent at least one hour playing non-active game consoles on a school night.  Children who were overweight or obese were more likely to watch TV and play non-active game consoles for longer periods.
  • Overall, nearly ten per cent of children had inadequate sleep levels as reported by their parents.  Levels of inadequate sleep were higher in children who were overweight or obese.

Diet

  • Five per cent of parents reported that their children never eat breakfast before school, while 15 per cent of parents reported their family eat a take away more than once a week.
  • Almost half of the children had salt intakes above the maximum recommended daily allowance of 5 g/day.  Salt intake was significantly higher in children who were overweight or obese.
  • 12 per cent of parents reported that their children do not eat fruit, while 13 per cent do not eat vegetables.

Additionally, 8 per cent of children who took part in the study were considered as having a high blood pressure. Twice as many overweight or obese children had high blood pressure, when compared to normal weight children.

The report’s authors say the findings “highlight areas of action for policymakers, planners and developers with responsibility for addressing childhood lifestyle and wellbeing problems”.

“The finding that over 50 pre cent of children have salt intakes well above healthy levels is of particular concern and it highlights the urgent need for government regulation of the salt content of processed food.”

Read: HSE childhood obesity services “sparse or non existent” across country

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    Mute Lou Tennant
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    Oct 28th 2015, 10:36 AM

    If I ever met he creator of candy crush, it would take all my strength and willpower not to strangle them with my bare hands

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    Mute Valentino R
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    Oct 28th 2015, 10:42 AM

    or beat them to death with a stick of rock.

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    Mute Sternn
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    Oct 29th 2015, 4:53 AM

    If you ever read the history of the game and the company which made it you most certainly would. They ripped off a free game called Candy Swipe which was released years before Candy Crush by a man named Albert Ransom. King.com robbed his idea, then trademarked it, and then sued him out of existence. Albert Ransom who made CandySwipe was trying to raise money and awareness for leukemia as his mother was diagnosed with it.

    Best part – that was not the first time King.com had done this to other small game developers, but due to US law they have robbed other games from smaller developers, changed one small feature, got a copyright on it, then sued the original creator for the rights and won thanks to their shady solicitors and mental IP laws in America.

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    Mute James Darcy
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    Oct 28th 2015, 10:44 AM

    I loved Facebook but it’s constant look for more interaction and invites and likes and all the other insecure BS drove me insane. Longing for the no-frills social network.

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    Mute Amanda Horan
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    Oct 28th 2015, 1:02 PM

    Try twitter. At the minute it has less frills but it will eventually go the same way.

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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Oct 28th 2015, 10:58 AM

    If only my life was so boring that a few game invites infuriated me. Just ignore them, it’s a social media site .

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    Mute Dread Pirate Robots
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    Oct 28th 2015, 10:53 AM

    James, we just call it Twitter.

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    Mute Imogene O'Brien
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    Oct 28th 2015, 11:18 AM

    Friends have become enemies over candy crush invites. Family members have been blocked because of candy crush invites.

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    Mute Barbara Christopher
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    Oct 28th 2015, 10:47 AM

    YESSSSSSS

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    Mute Kevin Maughan
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    Oct 28th 2015, 11:44 AM

    Thank Christ.

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    Mute Joe Harte
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    Oct 28th 2015, 12:15 PM

    It still isn’t enough to keep people fro using facebook the way they did say 5 years ago.

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