A GROWING NUMBER of schoolchildren are going hungry in Ireland, with 21 per cent either going to school without breakfast or going to bed without a proper meal, a major new report launched by the Health Minister has revealed.

In 2006, just 17 per cent of children said that they went to bed or school hungry.

The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Survey 2010 found that 13 per cent of children aged between 10 and 17 said they never ate breakfast on weekdays (15 per cent of girls saying so and 11 per cent of boys).

Meanwhile, two per cent of children in 3rd and 4th class reported never having breakfast on any day of the week.

The report, which involved 16,060 children from more than 256 school around the country, found that younger children and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds were more likely to go to school or bed hungry.

Overall, 20 per cent of children reported that they consumed fruit more than once a day – an increase from 19 per cent in 2006 –  and 20 per cent report eating vegetables more than once a day, an increase of 18 per cent in 2006.

Some 37 per cent report eating sweets daily or more often (39 per cent in 2006) and 21 per cent said they consumed a soft drink daily or more often (26 per cent in 2006).

Reduction in smoking, alcohol and drug use

More positively, the report showed a decrease in smoking, alcohol consumption and drug use among children in comparison with the previous survey.

Reports of current tobacco-smoking habits among the schoolchildren has declined from 15 per cent to 12 per cent since the last survey, while the numbers of those who had ever smoked declined from 36 per cent to 27 per cent. Cannabis use also decreased according to the results, Cannabis use in 2010 was 8 per cent in 2010 compared to 16 per cent in 2006,.

Reports of cannabis use in the previous 30 days decreased from 7 per cent to 5 per cent.

Some 27 per cent of 15-17 year olds report that they have ever had sex; of those, 93 per cent report using a condom the last time they had sex and 59 per cent report that they had used the birth control pill.

More generally, the proportion of children who report excellent health (33 per cent), feeling very happy (50 per cent) and high life satisfaction (76 per cent) remains stable from HBSC 2006.

“While I am encouraged by the reduction in smoking, alcohol and drug use and a decrease in injuries among school going children, much remains to be done,” said Minister for Health James Reilly in relation to the report.was

“I will be in discussion with my colleague the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald in relation to further examination of this and actions required to address same,” he added.