The South Eastern Health Board (SEHB) is introducing an activity programme for children in an effort to tackle obesity.
Based on a design originally tested in New Zealand, the "Childsplay" programme is to be introduced across the south-east region.
Training of staff has started and workshops for parents have also been held. The programme's introduction follows increasing evidence of obesity in Irish children, including a recent SEHB study which found that one third of schoolgoers aged between nine and 11 were overweight.
Eight per cent of those surveyed were clinically obese.
Catering for babies, toddlers and pre-school children, the Childsplay physical activity programme is being implemented by Atlantic Sports Management Training (ASMT), a company based in Kinsale, Co Cork.
"The aim of the programme is to educate parents in order to establish positive physical activity habits in their children, thereby reducing the risk of them becoming obese," said Ms Paula Carroll of the SEHB's health promotion unit.
"Parents are also encouraged to interact with their children through active play.
"Ideally parental education should begin in the antenatal class and \ reinforced once their baby is born," she added.
Thirty coaches and childcare operators have already been trained by ASMT and manuals, outlining games and activities for children, have been delivered to 300 parents across the region.
According to Ms Carroll, there has been an excellent response to the programme from both parents and children.
"Many parents have expressed how their level of interaction with their children has improved. Children are more focused and are calmer when activity is over," she emphasised.
She added that while further study was required, the programme could provide a practical solution to tackling the growing problem of childhood obesity.