Over half of adolescents are not active enough: Take Part study shows that one in five 15-17 year olds in North Dublin City and County are either overweight or obese…
Wednesday, 28 September 2005

Over half of adolescents are not active enough: Take Part study shows that one in five 15-17 year olds in North Dublin City and County are either overweight or obese…

The findings of ‘Take PART’ were today announced by Sean Power, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children. This survey was carried out by the School of Health and Human Performance at Dublin City University and funded by the Irish Heart Foundation, Health Services Executive (HSE) Northern Area, and Fingal Sports Partnership. The report, which was launched to mark the start of Irish Heart Week (25 September – 1 October) looked at the physical activity levels of 1,500 adolescents year olds in North Dublin city and county and highlighted important influences and barriers that impact on young people’s participation in physical activity.

The Minister expressed concern that 56% of 15-17 year olds were not meeting minimum* recommendations for being active, although this was slightly lower than 65% in a similar study in the east coast area of Dublin and North Wicklow in 2004. “Young people need to be doing moderate to vigorous activity at least 60 minutes every day. One in five were found to be overweight or obese and high levels of inactivity would be a contributing factor,” said Minister Power.

Take PART confirmed important gender differences. The most popular leisure time activities for males were soccer, Gaelic football and athletics. Social dancing, formal dance and soccer were the most popular female choices. Females were less physically active in leisure time (after school) and had lower aerobic fitness levels than males. “The majority currently walk or cycle to school. However, males were more likely than females to cycle to school (18% of males cycle in comparison to 1% of females),” said Minister Power.

The Minister noted that while the key causes of obesity are directly linked to food and physical activity habits, “there are many powerful factors influencing the choices we make. This is why a cohesive approach across many different sectors is required before we can witness any change in the prevalence of obesity.”

The research also highlighted the need to provide appropriate and accessible facilities to enable young people to participate in physical activity. Dr Catherine Woods, principal researcher at DCU, pointed out that boys were well catered for as the facilities for their activities, such as football, soccer and golf, were located locally and were also affordable. “However activities that girls enjoyed, such as dance and gym, were not so accessible and affordable. Girls were also more likely to find their local environment less safe due to traffic and crime”, said Dr Woods.

The Minister congratulated all partners on this research. “It is fitting that this important study is being launched at the start of the Irish Heart Foundation’s annual awareness campaign, Irish Heart Week, which aims to provide support to parents and children for active living and healthy eating. A free magazine entitled ‘A Child’s Heart… for life’ is available by phoning 1850 364 364 or logging on to www.irishheart.ie.

President of the Irish Heart Foundation, Dr Will Fennell, speaking at the conference said, ”the Irish Heart Foundation is in no doubt that the positive trends in reducing coronary heart disease of the last two decades will quickly be reversed and it is likely that with some of today’s parents will outlive their children. Not only are the levels of overweight and obesity of concern, but as the Take PART survey shows, a large number of young people are not physically active enough and the National Children’s Survey highlights a number of deficiencies in children’s diet all of which independently impact on risk of heart disease.

Maria Lordan Dunphy, Director of Health Promotion, HSE Northern Area said that they will continue to work in partnership with Fingal Sports Partnership and Dublin City Council to address the important findings from the research focusing particularly on the determinants of physical inactivity.

Fingal County Council Sports Partnership will use this report to help develop their Play, Sport and Recreation Strategy at all levels but especially in the 15 to 17 year age group. Fingal have recently employed three new Sports Development Officers to empower the local communities, clubs and groups to use sport not only to improve their health status but also to build communities and lifelong participation in sport and physical activity.

* Note: Take Part measured the minimum levels of moderate or vigorous physical activity for at least 60 minutes four or more times per week, rather than the optimum of every day.