News

HEALTH & WELLBEING DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
- Information Evening To Take Place in Claregalway -

The National Dairy Council and Arrabawn Co-op are jointly organising a Health and Wellbeing evening for members of the public, to take place in the Claregalway Hotel, Claregalway Village, Co Galway on Thursday 7th May. Doors at the Claregalway Hotel open at 7.30pm and the event will start at 8.00pm. Click here for directions.

Health & Wellbeing Information Evening for Claregalway

The evening will include discussions by independent nutritionist Paula Mee; a presentation on osteoporosis prevention for all age groups by Michele O’Brien from the Irish Osteoporosis Society and skincare specialist Silvanna Landa, Area Manager for Biotherm, will give a presentation on skincare, from the inside out.

The event will also raise funds for the charity Croi, with the costs of organising the event supported by the two organisers and all proceeds from raffles going directly to the charity. Raffle prizes will include a prize of a free gym membership for one year from The Kingfisher Club and Biotherm product hamper amongst other prizes.

Small Changes Make a Difference

“The Irish are well educated and tend to have an understanding that it is important to exercise and important to have a healthy and balanced diet - but most people who take a few minutes to really think about their day to day lives are surprised at how they may have slipped, or equally can be surprised at how simple steps can make big improvements,” says Dr. Logan, Nutritionist with the National Dairy Council.

Welcoming the announcement, Conor Ryan, Chief Executive of Arrabawn Co-op said that Arrabawn Co-op is delighted to be working with the National Dairy Council in organising a Health & Wellbeing event for people living in the Galway area.

“We hope that this event will be useful, informative and encouraging in that it helps everyone to think positively about their wellbeing and what small adjustments can easily be introduced which can make a tremendous difference to health and wellbeing in the long term,” said Mr Ryan.

Reaching for the Wrong Shelves

Research tells us that 86% of Irish adults manage to consume at least 3 daily servings per day of food from the top shelf of the food pyramid which includes cakes, biscuits and confectionery. These foods should be “difficult to reach” - to be consumed sparingly – because they are typically high in sugar, and/or fats. (Slan – Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes & Nutrtition 2007). By contrast, according to TNS mrbi research (2008) nearly one third of Irish adults (29%) do not consume the recommended “three servings of dairy a day” recommended by the Irish Department of Health & Children.

Short Cuts Don’t Last

“The food pyramid dietary daily guidelines from the Department of Health & Children are set at levels to help Irish people achieve the recommended intake of essential nutrients which our bodies need,” says nutritionist Dr. Logan. “Developing healthy habits and sticking with them is the most effective way to take control of health and weight. There are no easy short cuts for anyone that really work and last,” according to Dr Logan.

“Lifestyle trends also have a major role to play, many of us travel mostly by car; watch television and use computerized games; and generally have increasingly sedentary lifestyles, with 41% of those who reported to be inactive, indicating “no time” as the reason for inactivity,” says Dr. Logan.

”Anyone who consumes an unbalanced diet, cuts back on nutrient-rich foods, snacks on the nutrient empty foods and skips meals such as breakfast will reap the negative effects, simply their physical appearance, body weight, health and well being will suffer ,” says Dr Logan. “But these dietary and lifestyle trends appear to be very prevalent amongst many Irish people, who, should they continue with such habits, could be placing themselves at increased risk of serious long term health problems in the future, such as osteoporosis or cardiovascular disease.”

Date: 9th April 2009

Press contacts:

NDC: Antonina Ni Dhuinn, Progress Communications - 01-276 6117 nina@progresspr.ie

Arrabawn Co-op: Pamela Finn, Think PR - 087-900 4145 Email: info@thinkpr.ie