Primary school children 'to learn the importance of healthy eating'

Primary school children are to learn more about the benefits of a balanced diet in a bid to address growing concerns about childhood obesity.

Following recommendations made by restaurateurs Henry Dimbleby and John Vincent in their School Food Plan, young kids will be educated about the importance of eating healthily and older children will receive lessons on how to cook, the Press Association reports.

The news is of particular importance to young people in Ireland after Temple Street Children's hospital recently found obese children in the country's schools may be subjected to severe bullying.

As a result of the changes, primary school pupils will no longer only receive lessons on basic food preparation and hygiene, they are to learn more about where food comes from, the reasons why healthy eating is so important and how to master simple cooking techniques.

Mr Dimbleby said he is "delighted that the Department for Education has listened to us and the many others who were calling for cooking to get such a strong emphasis in the new National Curriculum".

Written by Donal Walsh

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