The Health Service Executive will promote the importance of healthy living at the Community Games national finals, which take place in late August.
It is the HSE's first year as the main sponsor, replacing the ESB, which pulled out in 2004, leaving the games without its main supporter last year.
Six thousand young people will compete in various activities, including athletics, football, dancing and art, over two weekends in the Mosney Centre in Meath.
Speaking at the launch in Dublin yesterday, Maria Lordan Dunphy, assistant director of health promotion at the HSE, said: "We want the children involved to pick up on key health messages and raise awareness about the dangers of smoking and obesity."
A dietician has liaised with the HSE Community Games caterers on a healthy menu, which will replace chips and fizzy drinks with more fruit and vegetables.
Research conducted by the National Health & Lifestyles Surveys (Slán) shows that 59 per cent of 10- to 11-year-olds exercise on a regular basis. This drops to 25 per cent among 15- to 17-year-olds.
"Kids are now more aware of what's good for them, and we hope to continue to inform them and their families," said Donal Buggy, chief executive of the HSE Community Games.
Mr Buggy also confirmed that the HSE Community Games will be held at the Mosney Centre for at least the next three years.
The centre has been used by the Department of Justice and Reception and Integration Agency to house asylum seekers for several years. "Initially we were afraid it would be a problem," said Mr Buggy. "But in fact it adds to the colour of the Community Games. We try to include their cultures in the parades and we see it as a positive thing. We also have kids from 20 different countries participating and we're starting to see our integration message at work."
Only the swimming events will be held off-site, at the National Aquatic Centre in Blanchardstown, Dublin.
The finals take place from August 18th to 20th and August 25th to 27th.