Madam, - Much has been written in recent weeks about fatty foods and diet with some ridiculous suggestions about taxing such foods.
It is generally accepted that knowledge of a subject is the basis for which change and improvement may follow. This certainly applies to a healthy lifestyle. Preventive medicine in Ireland has been downgraded in recent years; hence the recent protracted strike by medical officers of health.
Home economics as a subject in schools is favoured mainly for the possibility of easy points. This subject should be revamped and redefined to add health economics. The new subject (home/health economics) should be given the same priority as others such as maths or physics. This is the only way secondary school pupils will develop an understanding and knowledge of health matters.
This could be developed by a select group of health experts and teachers to include matters such as basic human biology, growth and redevelopment, potential skeletal problems, and other body systems. For example, what teenager would not like to have a basic understanding of dermatological problems?
Knowledge of preventive medicine is the future - not politicians suggesting a tax on food products. - Yours, etc.,
NIALL O'BRIEN,
FRCPI,
Sandymount,
Dublin 4.