Why kids need fathers with bounce

A new scheme aims to use fathers' influence to reverse the trend of childhood obesity, writes MICHELLE McDONAGH

STUDIES NOW show that fathers’ attitudes about the food they eat and activity levels are central to the eating and exercise habits of the entire family.

Having an overweight or obese father significantly increases a child’s risk of being an unhealthy weight in childhood, continuing into adulthood, unless lifestyle habits within the family change.

An innovative programme being launched in Galway city for overweight dads and their children called Bounce – Built to Move 2 aims to reverse the trend towards increasing weight gain in men and their children, through increased physical activity, better nutrition and basic lifestyle changes.

The HSE West’s Health Promotion Department, along with Titans basketball club, has developed the 12-week programme for dads and their eight to 13-year-old overweight children.

The HSE stresses that this is not a diet programme – the aim is to help prevent children who are now an unhealthy weight from putting on any more by allowing them to grow into their present weight.

Paul Gillen, health promotion officer of HSE West, says that while the mother, as the primary food purchaser in most families, does have a major influence over the diet of the family, the father also has a big role to play.

This is a particular issue when families are separated, with the children living with their mother during the week and their father at the weekend for example.

“Men on the whole tend to be less conscientious about their own diet and the food they eat and provide for kids,” Gillen says. “In Ireland, 43 per cent of men are overweight and 46 per cent are obese. These are mostly middle-aged men. Some studies show that a father’s BMI may be a predictor of his children’s BMI.”

The Bounce programme involves fun-based activity sessions along with nutritional information sessions and motivational workshops for parents.

Mums are invited to attend the nutritional sessions so that a healthier lifestyle will involve all the family.

The children will also learn about good nutrition, the contents of popular food products and soft drinks, healthy snacks and correct portion sizes.

“This is a great opportunity for dads and their children to develop a deeper bond by supporting each other to increase their levels of physical activity and to eat smarter,” Gillen says.

“Parents will have the opportunity to develop their physical activity skills, but also to learn about correct portion sizes, food labels, food types and how to initiate and sustain simple behaviour changes.”

The Titans club has more than 400 children and adults playing basketball on a regular basis for both fun and for competition and their experienced international coaches will provide activity sessions to help each participant reach their potential.

Gillen remarks: “Titans have a wonderful philosophy of encouraging adults and children of all abilities to reach their potential, which is what attracted us to them.

“The club does not overemphasise the competitive element. They encourage people to play basketball for fun and enjoyment, and the majority of kids joined the club after they finished the children’s programme we ran last year.”

Dads will be kept informed of their own and their child’s progress through review sessions with experienced health professionals. These and other supports provided will help both fathers and children to make the healthy choice the easier choice, says Gillen.

“Small simple lifestyle changes will not only help the dads and their children be healthier but will promote better health for the whole family.”

The Bounce programme will run in the Westside Community Centre, Seamus Quirke Road, Galway city every Tuesday and Thursday, from 4pm to 5pm for 12 weeks, starting on Tuesday September 18th. Places are limited to 25 dads and 25 children, and will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis on payment of €10 per dad and child. There will be an information session and registration in the community centre tonight at 7.30pm. Phone the HSE West Health Promotion Department at 091-548323 for an application form or for further information.