15 May 2008

Dig It and Eat It

Children from St Patrick’s Primary School, Newry have been learning how to grow their own vegetables and lead a healthy lifestyle through the ‘Dig It and Eat It’ programme.

Primary 5 pupils took part in the six week programme organised by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust and Green Gym Conservation Workers.

Conservation Volunteers, Northern Ireland worked with the children to plant and cultivate vegetables in the school grounds. The programme also included physical activity and sessions with a community dietitian on making healthy food choices and fruit sampling.

Health Promotion Support Worker for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Fionnuala O’Hagan, says: “The 2005 Health and Social Wellbeing survey highlighted that one in ten children are obese and more than one quarter are overweight or obese on entry to Primary one. Childhood obesity increases the risk of developing obesity and chronic illnesses such as Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and respiratory problems in later life. Developing a healthy lifestyle early in childhood can reduce the risks of such illnesses. By increasing physical activity and encouraging healthy food choices, programmes like Dig It and Eat It aim to prevent obesity and promote good lifestyle habits amongst young people that will last into adulthood.”

B&Q supplied the project with equipment and materials for planting and growing the vegetables. Camlough Nurseries, Flagstaff Nurseries and Dublin Road Four Seasons Garden donated seeds, pots and compost. Fruits for sampling were supplied by Tesco’s.