Healthy Weight for Children
More people in Ireland are now living with obesity or overweight. This increase over the last 30 years is seen across all ages. It affects people from all backgrounds, both men and women.
Obesity
Obesity is a long-term health condition where too much body fat builds up and can harm a person’s health.
People develop obesity or overweight for different reasons. Things that can affect you developing the condition include your:
- genes
- lifestyle choices
- living environment
Checking obesity levels
At a population level, we use body mass index as an indicator for where there may be rising levels of obesity and overweight in Ireland.
Child health and obesity
At least 1 out of every 5 primary school children live with overweight or obesity.
Every child should have the chance for a healthy life. For the HSE, this means focusing on improving children’s health and preventing obesity.
We do this by:
- helping healthcare workers talk to families about healthy habits and ways to encourage healthier choices
- working with others to create environments in schools and communities that support healthy living
Information and advice for parents
Publications
HSE Healthy Weight for Children Framework 0-6 years
Read our national strategy to support healthy weight and prevent obesity in children aged 0 to 6.
HSE Healthy Weight for Children Framework 0-6 years (PDF, 3.4 MB, 84 pages)
HSE Healthy Weight for Children Action Plan 2024-2028
Our action plan to promote child health and prevent obesity through improved coordination of HSE services.
HSE Healthy Weight for Children Action Plan 2024-2028 (PDF, 549 KB, 15 pages)
Communications guide for talking about child health and obesity
Information for healthcare professionals and policymakers on how to talk about children’s health and obesity.
Communications guide for talking about child health and obesity (PDF, 5.8 MB, 17 pages)
Webinars and podcasts
Healthy lunchboxes for kids
Listen to a podcast on the importance of a balanced diet to help children develop a healthy relationship with food. Hear tips on how to introduce healthier food into a child’s daily diets.
Episode 66 - Healthy Lunchboxes for Kids (video)
Healthy weight for children webinar
Watch a webinar for healthcare professionals on how to guide parents when talking about weight with their child. Also includes information on the Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative and the Healthy Weight for Children Action Plan.
Healthy Weight for Children webinar (video)
Screen time and young people
Listen to a podcast talks about the impact of screen time on young children. It explores how it affects their health and wellbeing. It highlights the importance of using devices carefully and gives guidance for families on how to discuss screen time habits.
Episode 67 - Screen Time and Young People (video)
Training and Programmes
National Healthy Childhood online course
This online course has modules for healthcare professionals working in child health.
Module topics include:
- breastfeeding
- infant nutrition
- growth monitoring
- healthy lifestyles
These modules can be found in the clinical skills section of the course catalogue on hseland.ie.
Childhood obesity education for health professionals
This online training is for healthcare professionals that care for children. It provides training on childhood obesity and how to manage it.
The training is developed and delivered by RCSI Obesity Research Group, funded by HSE and Sláintecare.
Childhood obesity education - childhoodobesity.ie
Resources
Talking to your child about health and weight – a guide for parents and caregivers
This guide gives practical advice about what to say when discussing issues around children’s weight.
Talking to your child about health and weight (PDF, 3 MB, 32 pages)
Your guide to building healthier habits with your child
This guide gives tips and advice for making changes at home to help build healthier habits.
Your guide to building healthier habits with your child (PDF, 554 MB, 20 pages)
Active Play Every Day 0-3 years
This pack provides information on the importance of active play for young babies and young children’s development. It includes a suite of cards with games to play with your child from birth.
Active Play Every Day 0-3 years (PDF, 532 MB, 2 pages)
Healthy meal plans and recipes
Safefood provides information for parents on healthy eating. This includes meal plans and recipes.
Print resources
There are other print resources available from Health Promotion.
These include:
- Healthy eating for 1-4 year olds leaflet (PDF, 11 MB, 24 pages)
- Healthy Eating for 1 – 4 year - Irish Version (PDF, 13 MB, 24 pages)
- Childrens Food Pyramid stickers (PDF, 112 KB, 1 page)
- Children's Food Pyramid Stickers - Irish version (PDF, 112 KB, 1 page)
- Screentime leaflets 0-5 years (PDF, 260 KB, 6 pages)
- Healthy lunchboxes leaflet (PDF, 11 MB, 24 pages)
Research
Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative
HSE supports the National Nutrition Surveillance Centre to co-ordinate Ireland’s participation in the WHO Europe Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI). Ireland has participated in this research programme since 2005.
[pdfs to go in related files – from this link Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative]
- HSE Healthy Weight for Children Action Plan 2024-2028 (PDF, 562 KB, 15 pages)
- The Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative Report - Round 6 (PDF, 1.7 MB, 38 pages)
- The Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative - Round 6 Factsheet (PDF, 974 KB, 8 pages)
- Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) Report 2020 (PDF, 2.2 MB, 36 pages)
- COSI Descriptives of Childhood Obesity Risk Factors, 2016 (PDF, 4.3 MB, 78 pages)
LANDSCAPE study
This is a Health Research Board (HRB) and HSE funded research project.
The research aims to:
- show how obesity treatment for children and young people is managed across different areas and settings in Ireland
- provide insights into the challenges and supports that affect the availability of obesity treatment services
- help identify what professionals need to deliver the best care