An ambitious plan to help bring down overweight in adults and children by 5 percent over ten years has been published.
A sugar tax, a health Tsar and even a new food pyramid are among the 60 actions proposed.
.@SimonHarrisTD @MarcellaCK & @KZapponeTD at the Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016-2025 launch #healthyweightIRL https://t.co/ehvyyK7k8R pic.twitter.com/QobAqIOejY
— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) September 22, 2016
But some stakeholders are concerned about that the plan doesn’t go far enough.
Juliette Gash reports;
Among the 60 measures include the creation of No Fry Zones around schools and hospitals, a revised food pyramid and recommendations that food companies reduce levels of salt, sugar and fat.
Consultant Endocrinologist Donal O'Shea was asked if there should be a ban on celebrities and sporting figures advertising unhealthy foods;
A new Obesity strategy, –described by experts as "‘incredibly ambitious’"– is being unveiled this afternoon – with a target to reduce rates of obesity by 5% over ten years.
With 2 in 3 Irish adults and one in four Irish children overweight or obese, the World Health Organisation says we’re on course to become the fattest country in Europe by 2030 – unless urgent measures are introduced.
The Royal College of Physicians in Ireland has welcomed the plan, but says funding must be made available for it to work.
Juliette Gash reports;
This comes as a new survey finds that only 18% of Irish adults feel that they eat a balanced diet and get enough exercise
The survey which was carried out by Amárach Research on behalf of LloydsPharmacy surveyed a representative sample of 1,000 Irish adults on their attitudes and experience of diet, exercise and leading a healthy lifestyle.
Key findings of the survey include:
- Only 18% of respondents feel they follow a healthy diet and get regular exercise;
- Females prioritise eating a balanced diet, while males place a greater emphasis on getting sufficient exercise;
- Respondents feel the best version of themselves when they are following a balanced diet and getting sufficient exercise, however those from lower socio-economic backgrounds are twice as less likely to ever feel the best version of themselves when compared to those from higher socio-economic backgrounds (23% vs 12%);
- 58% of respondents say they struggle to follow a healthy diet and get regular exercise, despite a strong awareness amongst respondents of the benefits;
- 58% of those surveyed also struggle to secure unbiased, expert advice on how best to follow a balanced diet and optimum exercise, with 86% citing the issue of conflicting advice on the topic;
- Family emerged as the greatest support for adults trying to live a healthy lifestyle (48%), followed by healthcare professionals (27%) and friends (16%);
- Respondents cited employers as particularly poor at supporting their employees in living a healthy life, with only 2% of those surveyed identifying employers as influential.
