START Child Health campaign is an annual, month-long public health event in January. It is organized by safefood, Healthy Ireland, the Departments of Health in Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland, along with the Health Service Executive and the Public Health Agency. The campaign aims to encourage the consumption of healthier food and the adoption of a more active lifestyle. START provides parents with varying suggestions to help improve the well-being of their kids — from a better diet to reduced screen time. The campaign’s end goal is to ensure a brighter future for today’s children.
History of START Child Health campaign
‘Nutrition’ refers to the “process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth.” Of course, the standards and ideas of what constitutes a “good” diet for children have evolved. The early 20th Century was strongly impacted by the World Wars and the Great Depression, causing general malnourishment among kids. Nutrition programs, thus, focused on providing children with food grains to ensure their survival. School lunch programs,specifically, played a huge role in ensuring that infants were being fed at least one substantial meal a day. However, the economic troubles created by war and recession limited the supply of funds, threatening the continuity of such projects.As economic conditions improved, access to food also increased for many people. A relatively new problem emerging today is childhood obesity. Nowadays, about 12.7% of the two- to five-year-olds are clinically overweight. This poses several health risks. It can cause joint problems, along with respiratory difficulties. The social implications of obesity can often lead to mental and emotional hurdles of low self-esteem and lack of confidence due to the social isolation individuals can be subjected to. Obese children also tend to become obese as adults, thus leading to the risk of diseases like type two diabetes.The START Child Health Campaign is a month-long event in Ireland that aims to encourage the consumption of healthier food and the adoption of a more active lifestyle. START provides parents with varying suggestions to help improve the health of their kids — from a better diet to reduced screen time. The campaign’s end goal is to ensure a brighter future for today’s children.
START Child Health campaign timeline
The First World War begins
The Great Depression begins.
The Second World War begins.
The START Child Health campaign is started by safefood.
START Child Health campaign FAQs
Why is children's health important?
Children are vulnerable beings who can be at higher risk of illness.
What is considered childhood obesity?
Childhood obesity is characterized by a body mass index-for-age percentile greater than 95%.
Is childhood obesity a problem?
Yes, it is.
How to Observe START Child Health campaign
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Go for a health checkup
If you are in charge of a child’s care, begin the month by taking your kid for a health check-up. This is crucial and should become habitual.
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Decide on one small change and stick to it
Decide on a health-improving change with your kid. Then consistently stick to the decision.
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Encourage your child
You can’t scold, punish, or pressure anyone into making a longstanding, positive change. Encourage your kid and praise them for the effort they are putting into making healthier life choices.
5 Super Important Facts About Nutrition
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Added sugar can be harmful
While everything is alright in moderation, too much added sugar, commonly used to improve the taste of packaged foods, is unhealthy.
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Omega-3 fats are important and scarcely consumed
Omega-3 fats are essential to human nutrition, but most people aren’t getting enough of them in their diet.
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There is no perfect diet
Though the internet is saturated with different kinds of fad diets, there is no one “best” diet.
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Eating vegetables is good for you
Vegetables are a rich source of nutrients, and eating more of them is linked with improved health.
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Supplements can’t replace real foods
While supplements are a great way to ensure you’re getting all essential nutrients, they can never actually replace real food.
Why START Child Health campaign is Important
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It encourages health awareness
It is increasingly crucial to understand the status of your child’s health. The START Child Health Campaign is a good reminder to catch up with it.
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It highlights the importance of a healthy lifestyle
The START Child Health Campaign highlights how important maintaining a healthy lifestyle is. Discover all the ways today.
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It encourages health behavior changes
The START Child Health campaign encourages changes in health behavior whenever necessary. Learn all their is to know.
START Child Health campaign dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | January 2 | Monday |
| 2024 | January 1 | Monday |
| 2025 | January 1 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | January 1 | Thursday |
| 2026 | January 1 | Friday |
