The Camogie Association has teamed up with the Nutrition & Health Foundation to launch the first annual ‘Move Smart Week’.  The week runs from 2nd to 8th July 2012 and there is a programme of activities for all ages, males and female in a number of clubs across Ireland as well as tips on the website to encourage people to ‘Move Smart’, get more active and be healthier. 
Move Smart Week complements the NHF’s Annual Eat Smart Week which took place in April 2012. Activities are free and open to members and non members of camogie clubs.  Fun activities for all adults and children of all ages and genders include Wall Ball Marathon and an Olympic skills star Challenge.  A full list of activities can be found at: www.nhfireland.ie and www.camogie.ie
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Muireann Cullen, Manager of the NHF said:
“Obesity costs €1.6 billion per year and will escalate if this national health issue is not addressed, said Dr Muireann Cullen of the NHF at the launch. “ 37% of Irish Adults are overweight and 24% are obese.  30% of nine-year-old girls and 22% of boys are considered to be overweight and only half of all children exercise four or more times per week. 
The World Health Organisation recommends that children should have 60 minutes of physical activity each day but this figure is only reached by 21% of nine year old girls and less than 30% of boys.
 “Move smart week is a good start to changing the lifestyle choices we have to face.”
The Camogie Association is to be applauded for pushing this message to its 100,000 members across over 500 clubs throughout the country.
Sport is an obvious choice for parents to make when looking to increase children’s physical activity but putting a structure and a set of defined simple exercises is very important in attracting their engagement in the first place.  There are key transition points where many children fall away from sport for a variety of reasons as we covered in our Round Table on Children and Sport but it is an important start to have as many playing in the first place.
Aileen Lawlor, President of the Camogie Association said:
“The Camogie Association is delighted to launch the first annual ‘Move Smart’ week with the Nutrition and Health Foundation,” said Aileen Lawlor, President of the Camogie Association.  “We acknowledge the importance of Nutrition and Exercise in our day to day lives and especially in the lives of our children. Research shows that we must take action and lead the way in encouraging adults and children to exercise more frequently and eat more healthily.
This week’s main stories on Sport for Business

Find out more about how Sport for Business can be of benefit to you
Subscribe today for the free Sport for Business daily news digest