NEIL BARRETT is one of Ireland’s best known fitness trainers, nutritionists and sports scientists.
In a new series of articles for Derry Daily, he will be writing about – and helping to tackle – an issue many people chose to ignore…obesity, and in particular childhood and teenage obesity.
STOP KILLING YOUR KIDS WITH KINDNESS: BY NEIL BARRETT A bit of an alarmist headline but it gets your attention and, in essence, it’s very much true.
After a very damming report last week relating to the rate at which Irish children, adolescents (and adults) are fast becoming the fattest in Europe, I have been asked by Derry Daily to write a series of articles pertaining to health, nutrition and fitness specifically for adolescents that I hope will help the teenager, parent, guardian or carer make changes that deliver a long-lasting result.
All the information is out there on healthy eating and exercise but unless you have a background in biomedical sciences it is extremely difficult to decipher the good information from the bad.
Over the coming weeks I hope to offer advice on fitness, nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits for teenagers to help them make choices for a more fit, healthy and happy life.
Phones, tablets, internet, X-Box, social media, alcohol, fast food…. the list of variables affecting adolescent health and fitness goes on.
Teenagers are under huge amounts of pressure whether it’s exam stress, self-esteem, peer pressure or hormonal.
Only 12 per cent of 10- to 18-year-olds get the recommended level of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. One in four is obese or overweight.
So let us begin with this, if your child has a higher than average body fat % they are overweight because of you!
You are responsible for them, you do the shopping, make the breakfast, lunch and dinners. Period!
Now that is not to say it is directly your fault, you didn’t do this on purpose. But it is in your best interests to become aware of what your child should and should not be doing on a daily basis.
Healthy lifestyle practices during adolescence are very important for lifelong good health and quality of life.
Most parents are very much aware of the healthy principles for growth periods from ages 1 to 4.
However, information on healthy lifestyle practices for the adolescent to adult period is less readily available.
This is an extremely important period in all our lifetimes and one which has become very distorted in modern society.
Think about this: the incubation period for most environmental disease (cancer, heart disease etc.) is 20-30 years.
The highest rate of incidence is 40+years, therefore the foundations of heart disease and cancer begins in our teens and early adulthood.
We know of no better preventable measure against all known diseases than healthy eating and an active lifestyle.
Read my article next Thursday, and every Thursday, for a look at ways to help our teens reap the rewards of healthy habits.
ABOUT NEIL:
Neil Barrett MSc. BSc. Hons. Rnut. ANSI. UKSCA.
- MSc. (Master of Science in Human Nutrition)
- BSc. Hons. (Bachelor of Science in Sports Science & exercise physiology)
- RNut. (Registered Nutritionist with the UKVRN)
- Lecturer (Letterkenny Institute of Technology)
- UKSCA accredited Strength & Conditioning coach
- CrossFit level 1 trainer (ANSI)
- TRX & Rip60 Master trainer (Freemotion)
- Kettlebell level 1 trainer (Agustu)
- Coaching Ireland accredited & registered level 1 weightlifting coach
- Pre & Post Natal exercise professional (NCEHS)
A master Nutritionist, sport scientist, exercise physiologist, lecturer, gym owner & professional strength & conditioning coach, Neil is one the most highly qualified & experienced individuals working in the Irish fitness sector.
In addition to his nutritionist work he has also worked as a lecturer & presenter for University of Limerick, Coaching Ireland, The Lucozade Sport Education program, Profi-Fitness International teaching school, the Irish Rugby Institute & more recently he joined the lecturing staff at the Letterkenny Institute of Technology.
Since then he has worked as the primary coach for many Dublin based GAA & rugby teams, St. Eunan’s GAA, Donegal U21 GAA, Irish triathlete’s & GP2 international professional racing drivers. Furthermore, he has also worked as a secondary coach/intern with the coaching staff of the Irish Senior International Soccer Team, the Italian Senior International Rugby Team, Aston Villa F.C., Millwall F.C. & MK Dons F.C.
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