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Obesity Incidence.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2004

Wednesday, 3 March 2004

Questions (45, 46)

Joe Sherlock

Question:

116 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps he intends to take to deal with the threat to health posed by the rising level of obesity identified in the recent annual report of the National Nutritional Surveillance Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7064/04]

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John Gormley

Question:

131 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason his Department is not doing more to promote cycling and walking as means of protecting against obesity; if he will undertake a joint programme with the Department of Transport to ensure that there are safe cycling and walking routes to schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7072/04]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 131 together.

The Slán survey published in 2003 highlights that 47% of the Irish population are overweight or obese in 2002 compared to 42% in 1998, with levels of obesity increasing from 10% to 13% in the same period. In addition, the numbers of those reporting no physical activity at all have increased among both men, from 21% to 30%, and women, from 20% to 25%. The results of these surveys reflect a similar situation at global level. Developed countries are documenting increasing levels of overweight and obesity. A position paper prepared by the international obesity task force recommends that national obesity task forces be established to develop and implement strategies to counteract the epidemic of obesity.

In response to these trends and in line with the EU Health Council conclusions that member states need to address the issue of obesity using established national structures, I am currently in the process of establishing a national obesity task force. The task force will be drawn from a broad range of representative and relevant bodies and I plan to announce the establishment of this initiative shortly. The task force will develop a strategy to address the obesity levels in Ireland. This will require a societal approach and cross sectoral working. Included among these will be the need to address transport policies, especially initiatives and programmes aimed at young children.

Over the last number of years there has been a significant increase in health promotion activities and campaigns targeting obesity. These will have a long-term impact in addressing this issue. The campaign "Let it Go — just for 30 minutes" focused on the message that even minor increases in the level of activity can lead to positive health benefits. The national healthy eating campaign has, over recent years, concentrated on encouraging people to eat four or more portions of fruit or vegetables per day. As part of these campaigns health boards provide regional and local focus in schools, communities and other settings.

As a direct result of funding from the cardiovascular health strategy there are now 36 additional community dieticians in post. These dieticians have formed partnerships with community groups to provide nutrition education, cookery programmes and healthy eating projects. The majority of boards have been resourced to run specific targeted, focused, sustained programmes aimed in particular at those on low income. Physical activity co-ordinators have also been appointed in each board, promoting physical activity among the population as recommended in the national strategies. In 2002 the physical activity campaign promoted walking as an excellent means of increasing levels of physical activity.

The health promotion unit, in partnership with the Department of Education and Science, has been involved in the development of the social and personal health education curriculum which is now being implemented in primary schools. An important element of this initiative is the emphasis placed on physical health, recognising the importance of promoting physical activity as an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. The health promotion unit has also partly funded the Irish Heart Foundation's "Get Kids on the Go" campaign which aims to increase the levels of physical activity in school-going children.

"Playground Markings", a component of the "Get a Life, Get Active" campaign, is an initiative supported by the health promotion unit of my Department. This initiative, using traditional games, aims to encourage children to participate in physical activity in the school playground. Slí na Sláinte is an initiative which is partly funded by the health promotion unit. There is ongoing development of the walks nationwide giving people the opportunity to walk in healthy safe environments. The routes are marked in kilometre intervals to enable people to gauge the distance they have walked.

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