For Parents
https://childhoodobesity.ie/resources/
Your child’s health today and in the future depends on their growth and development. You may remember that when your child was a baby, his/her weight and length were measured to make sure that he/she was growing properly? As a child continues to grow, it is important to measure their health.
W82GO Booklet
For example, your child does an eye-test to measure their vision, and a hearing test to measure their ability to hear. Along with your child’s hearing and vision, it is important to measure their growth and we do this by measuring their height and weight.
If children have too much fat tissue in their body they can become overweight. Research shows that overweight children are at an increased risk of early heart disease; joint pain; breathing problems and bullying. They are also more likely to become overweight adults who have increased risk of serious diseases such as type 2 diabetes; heart disease, stroke and certain cancers.
By supporting your children to grow properly and maintain a healthy weight, you help them to have the best start in life. 50% of parents do not recognize that their child is overweight. However, they may notice signs that their child is unfit compared to others and gets breathless easily, or their child may have been teased because of his/her shape or it may be more difficult to find clothes that fit for that child’s age.
