Childhood Obesity is now one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century and here in Northern Ireland 1 in 4 children aged 2-15 years old are overweight and 8% are classified as obese (The Health Survey NI 2016/17). 

  

Studies have proven that overweight and obese children are likely to stay obese into adulthood and more likely to develop non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age and have a reduced life expectancy of up to nine years.    

 

It has been recommended that a combined diet along with physical activity intervention that is conducted in the community with a school component is more effective at preventing obesity or overweight.  They also suggest parental enforcement of a healthier lifestyle at home is vital to improving children’s health.   These could lead to a decrease in childhood obesity and lead to a healthier society as a whole.

 

WYSE (What You Should Eat) BITES aim is to educate children about the benefits of healthy eating and to develop their life skills to enable them to become more independent and resourceful therefore creating a future generation of healthier adults.  

 

We offer Workshops, Demonstrations and Cookery Classes to children from 4 years up in the school and community environment.