A workshop from the All-island Obesity Action Forum in association with safefood
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2009
Venue: Clarion Hotel, IFSC Dublin
This workshop focused on the key role of physical activity in tackling overweight and obesity on the island of Ireland. Areas of policy, research and practice issues in relation to physical activity were highlighted through presentations and interactive workshops.
Maria Lordan Dunphy from the Health Service Executive and Nick Harkness from Sport NI updated delegates on the current developments in tackling obesity in ROI and NI. Professor Marie Murphy, Head of Sports Studies at the University of Ulster spoke on the role of physical activity in tackling obesity.
Pictured at the workshop: (From left to Right): Dr Cliodhna Foley - Nolan, Director of Human Health and Nutrition safefood, Nick Harkness, Director of Participation, Sport NI, Maria Lordan-Dunphy, Health Promotion Development Mangager, Health Service Executive, Prof. Marie Murphy, Head of Sports Studies, University of Ulster and Dr Marian Faughnan Nutritionist with safefood
Presentations can be downloaded by clicking on the links below
Programme
12.15pm - 12.30pm Registration
12.30pm - 1.20pm Lunch
1.20pm - 1.25pm
Welcome, Martin Higgins, Chief Executive safefood
1.25pm - 1.55pm
The current landscape on the island of Ireland
Republic of Ireland Perspective:
Maria Lordan-Dunphy, Health Promotion Development Mangager, Health Service Executive
Northern Ireland Perspective:
Nick Harkness, Director of Participation, Sport NI
1.55pm - 2.20pm
The role of physical activity in tackling obesity - An update on evidence
Prof. Marie Murphy, Head of Sports Studies, University of Ulster
2.20pm - 2.35pm
Tea & Coffee break
2.35pm - 3.25pm
Parallel workshops
1. Natural play
2. Evaluation
3. Physical activity Vs nutrition debate
3.25pm - 3.35pm
Tea & Coffee break
3.35pm - 3.55pm
Panel Discussion - Workshop feedback and closing remarks
Martin Higgins, Chief Executive, safefood
4pm Close
Workshop description
Workshop 1: Natural Play – making physical activity accessible
Workshop aim:
The aim of this workshop is to explore practical issues of promoting and supporting natural play.
Workshop Objectives:
- To highlight some of the key issues for enabling natural play in community, home and educational settings.
- To present examples of natural play projects across the island of Ireland
- To identify challenges and best practice to addressing and promoting natural play and to make recommendations for going forward.
Workshop 2- Principles of good evaluation
Workshop aim:
The aim of this workshop is to explore practical approaches to evaluating physical activity interventions.
Workshop Objectives:
- To highlight the principles of good practice for evaluating interventions
- To present examples of evaluation in practice across the island of Ireland
- To identify challenges and best practice in evaluating the effectiveness of physical activity interventions and make recommendations for going forward.
Workshop 3- Debate: Physical activity vs nutrition in tackling obesity
Workshop aim:
The aim is to examine/debate the importance of physical activity versus good nutrition in tacking obesity.
Workshop Objectives:
- To present the extreme arguments for and against the effectiveness of physical activity and nutrition for tackling obesity.
- To discuss where the balance lies for tackling obesity using both physical activity and nutrition.
- To identify challenges and best practice approaches to tackling obesity through both physical activity and nutrition and make recommendations for going forward.