The importance of the revised physical education curriculum at primary level has been underlined by an INTO survey of nearly 700 pupils aged between 10 and 12 at four Dublin schools, which indicated that one in three children from disadvantaged backgrounds eat fast food at least once a day.

The survey results, published in The Irish Times yesterday, also revealed that nearly 40 per cent eat chocolate, sweets or crisps more than once a day - twice the figure for children from well-off backgrounds. The survey was compiled in conjunction with The Irish Times.

But the survey also showed relatively high levels of physical activity among primary school students, with three-quarters saying they spent at least one hour per day playing sport during the week. This includes school-based activities such as PE class as well as other activities like swimming, where this is available.

Similarly, students also indicated high levels of participation in sport at the weekends, with 77 per cent saying they spend at least an hour engaged in physical activity.

But arguably the clearest sign of the potential of the revised PE curriculum comes from the fact that 94 per cent of those surveyed said they enjoyed PE class.

This indicates that a well-resourced and supported PE curriculum can go a long way to encouraging the development of high levels of physical activity among children from an early age, says INTO president John Carr.

"The vast majority of pupils like PE and it is essential to build on this enthusiasm for the subject. Providing a good start will lay the foundation for participation in sports in later life. While all of the schools included in this survey had indoor sports facilities, many schools do not and therefore PE in those schools is weather- dependent. Many pupils, therefore, do not get regular PE classes in schools.

"With nearly one in 10 not playing sport at weekends and 7 per cent not playing any sport during the week, it is essential that schools are able to provide an introduction to PE for all children. To do this it is essential that every primary school has access to adequate indoor facilities," says Carr.

The survey also shows the importance of the social personal and health education curriculum, which can be interlinked with the PE curriculum, he points out. "This is a new subject in the primary school and its importance is clear. Large numbers of children are eating sweets and chocolate and fast foods on a daily basis. Most schools have healthy-eating policies, but teachers report more support for it among younger children than older children. Buying lunches on the way to school is most likely a contributory factor.

"The Department of Education and Science provides for curricular time for physical education, but refuses to resource it properly in terms of buildings and equipment. This is not good enough. The taking away of the annual resource grant for physical education has meant that schools have had to fundraise to provide equipment or else do without vital equipment."