IHF says 5 years on, little done to tackle obesity

On European Obesity Day (May 22), the Irish Heart Foundation has criticised the lack of significant progress in tackling and treating obesity in Ireland since the launch of the National Taskforce on Obesity (NTFO) this month five years ago. 

According to the national charity fighting heart disease and stroke, the Irish tax payer will continue to bear the brunt of the huge economic cost of obesity on our health system because of the government’s failure to drive major policy developments to reduce the burden of this disease. An estimated 2,000 people die prematurely due to obesity-related illness in Ireland each year and these deaths cost the state up to €4 billion per year.

The Irish Heart Foundation has called on the government to implement the NTFO report’s recommendations and prioritise action on obesity at policy level by focusing on environmental influences such as consumer- friendly food labeling, the physical environment and food marketing to children.

Maureen Mulvihill, Irish Heart Foundation Head of Health Promotion said: “61% of adults and about 20% of children and teens are overweight or obese in this country and this figure is growing. Five years ago, the Obesity Task Force report correctly identified the need for policy change at environmental level so we can make it easier for people to make the healthy choice such as by improving walking and cycling facilities and protecting children from unhealthy food marketing. But despite 93 recommendations, minimal progress has been made and instead we are facing serious health problems in our country – chronic conditions are expected to rise by 40% by 2020.”

Ms Mulvihill continued: “The Taskforce report clearly called for the Taoiseach’s office to take the lead responsibility and provide an integrated approach to tackle obesity across all government departments, but this has not happened. Ironically one major policy development introduced was done so by the Minister for Communications, Eamon Ryan, T.D. The provisions for legislation in the Broadcasting Act 2009 will impact on children’s food choices by eliminating advertising of foods high in fat, sugar and salt to children – but it needs to be implemented immediately. We call on the Broadcasting Authority to publish this legislation now.”

Food labeling regulations being debated at European level have seen no public debate or consultation here according to the Foundation and no clear position from the Department of Health on front of pack ‘at a glance’ food labeling. This is despite international research which shows customers prefer a traffic light labeling system because it helps them easily choose healthier foods.

The Foundation also highlighted its recently published paper ‘Building Young Hearts’ which calls for policy changes to improve the physical environment and make physical activity more accessible for young people, for example the introduction of a 30kph speed limit near all schools.

http://www.irishheart.ie/iopen24/says-years-little-done-tackle-obesity-n...