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New
RedBranch are in the process of registering as
a charity...can you help? We are looking for Board members, and assistance with
fundraising.
Lifestyle News
Rising
Obesity Levels: A Cancer Time Bomb
Video Nasty: Too Much TV
Affects Health
Children Need Play
Irish Cancer Cases Ahead of EU Average
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updates on health issues, including practical tips for parents, teachers and
schools.
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Type 2 Diabetes: Prevention
The World Health Organisation maintain that Type 2
Diabetes is largely preventable. The following tips will help you and
your family to reduce your risk.
Physical Activity
Regular physical activity reduces the
risk for a range of illnesses, not just diabetes. We should all aim to
be physically active on most days.
Be physical as part of daily life:
 | Walk or cycle to school, work or college |
| Park at the back of the car park when you do your shopping |
| Get off the bus one or two stops early, and walk the rest of the way |
| Avoid elevators/escalators, use the stairs instead |
| Have an active lunch break: go for a short walk |
| Limit the amount of time you & your family watch television - play a
board game together instead |
| Play active games: you're never too old to play catch or frisbee |
| Show an interest in any activities your child likes - encourage them
to try out new activities |
| Instead of buying a Playstation as a present, go for an active toy
such as table football that the whole family can enjoy |
| Check out our physical activity page
for more ideas |
Take part in regular organised physical activities. If you're not
interested in sport, why not try dance, yoga, tai chi, or other
non-competitive activities.
Diet
| If you or your children are overweight, talk to your Doctor - they
should be able to refer you to a nutritionist |
| Try to limit your consumption of sugary foods and drinks |
| Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables
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| Limit the amount of saturated fat in your diet |
| Organise a healthy eating campaign in school or work:
contact RedBranch and we will help |
| Drink water, pure juice, or milk instead of fizzy drinks |
Legislative Measures
| Lobby politicians to have the sale of junk food in schools banned |
| Planning policy should ensure that walking and cycling is prioritised,
and that children have adequate play space |
| PE at school should be properly resourced and supported with
equipment, teacher training and improved provision for PE in the national
curriculum |
| Children need adequate space to be active at school |
| Healthy food needs to be available for all, regardless of
socio-economic status |
| Junk food sponsorship in schools and at childrens camps/events should
be prohibited |
| There should be serious investment in preventative health |
| The advertising of junk food to children and young people should be
banned |
| Programmes are needed to improve diet and physical activity for those
most at risk |
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Many teenage girls stop taking part in
physical activity at school. Why not encourage your school to provide
hip-hop dance classes? We've found that Hip-Hop dance is a great way to
encourage regular physical activity in girls. There may even be a grant
available from the Irish Sports Council or your Local Sports Partnership to
cover some of the cost involved.
The odd burger won't kill
you...but research shows that eating fast food regularly will increase your
risk of Diabetes. Aim for a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruit and
vegetables and not too much saturated fat. Many of our children do not have
access to healthy food, particularly in the school environment. |
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