Health Minister supports launch of British Heart Foundation’s 'Food4Thought' Campaign

The Health Minister Michael McGimpsey today attended the launch of the British Heart Foundation’s, 'Food4Thought' campaign to promote physical exercise by children.

Speaking at the event, Mr McGimpsey said: “Preventing obesity, particularly among our children and young people, is a key priority for my Department.

"The British Heart Foundation’s 'Food4Thought' campaign is about empowering children and young people to take an active role in making healthy choices. The campaign complements initiatives being taken forward by my Department to prevent and address obesity, and I therefore welcome the opportunity to support this work.”

The British Heart Foundation has been running the 'Food4Thought' campaign since 2007, covering a range of issues. The phase now launched will focus on promoting physical activity in a bid to tackle obesity in children. The campaign, which is targeted at 11-13 year olds, encourages children and young people to get 60 minutes of exercise every day.

The Minister added: “If we can empower our children and young people to make healthier choices now, it will be easier for them to maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We must take action to reduce the levels of obesity and make a healthier Northern Ireland now, but we must also plant the seeds for a sustainable long-term change to our lifestyles.”

Notes to Editors:

1. In Northern Ireland, currently around one in four girls and one in six boys in Primary One are overweight or obese. Many of these children are not as physically active as they should be, nor do they have a healthy, balanced diet and both these issues contribute to levels of obesity.

2. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety takes forward work to prevent and address childhood obesity through the “Fit Futures” Strategy, which can be found online

3. The Department is also in the process of developing a strategy to address obesity across the entire population.

4. Press enquiries to DHSSPS press office on 028 9052 2841. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.