YOUNG people are being urged not to be lazy and to stay active - even though it’s the summer holidays.
Director of Public Health, Dr Parameswaran Kishore, has warned that keeping fit has never been a more pressing issue than it is today and has voiced concerns over childhood obesity.
“We all need to ensure we pursue a healthy lifestyle though a balanced diet and by keeping fit and active,” he said. “We continue to witness related health problems that stem from a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle.”
His remarks follow news that the Department of Health’s Public Health Directorate has donated an array of sports equipment to the Department of Education and Children’s Youth Service.
The equipment has been used in the past for various Health Improvement programmes which have now come to their natural end. The Director of Public Health, Dr Parameswaran Kishore, took the decision to donate the equipment to the Isle of Man Youth Service and put it to use by supporting physical activity projects in the community.
Dr Kishore commented “It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to pass on this sports equipment to the Island’s Youth Service, and I know they’ll make valuable use of it. I hope that this donation will play its part in the valuable work the Youth Service undertakes to keep our young people engaged in an active lifestyle.”
A formal presentation took place at Cronk-y-Berry School to children of the Holiday Venture Scheme. The scheme is running for three weeks of the summer holidays and caters for children between 8 and 13 years of age (School Years 4 - 8). On hand to present the equipment to the Island’s Youth Service and children were the Minister for Health, David Anderson Member for Health Services, Dudley Butt and Dr Kishore.
Mr Anderson MHK added, “It’s important that Government takes a joined-up and holistic approach to health promotion, particularly with regards to our young people. All too often the Department of Health has the responsibility of picking up the pieces of a poor lifestyle, which comes at a cost to the individual, and the taxpayer.
“Through robust health promotion by our Public Health Directorate and health practitioners, and by working with other agencies, we can continue our efforts to tackle health issues through a more preventative approach. In this case, simply by encouraging and enabling children who partake in Youth Service programmes to keep fit and active by providing them with simple sports equipment.”
Gráinne Burns, a Youth Officer with the Department of Education and Children’s Youth Service said, "The Youth Service is extremely grateful for this generous donation of equipment. Youth Clubs around the Island are self financing and the smaller clubs often struggle to raise enough money to buy these kind of resources. After use for the holiday schemes, the equipment will be allocated to those smaller clubs who will benefit from such a kind donation.”
