Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2013
413. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the numbers of obesity related deaths here in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the funding provided for the weight management clinic at Loughlinstown Hospital for the same period; his plans to address the obesity epidemic in this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43230/13]
View answerIt is known that obesity contributes to deaths from a range of diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, angina and heart attack. It is not, however, currently possible based on official statistics, to estimate what portion of these deaths may be directly attributable to obesity.
Funding provided for the Weight Management Clinic at St. Columcille’s Hospital, Loughlinstown is taken from its yearly budget allocation. The Weight Management Clinic has a full multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and all necessary equipment.
While acknowledging a definite clinical need exists for those with chronic obesity, bariatric surgery is only required for the minority of obese patients (2% of the population). The vast majority of these patients require clinical treatment that is both hospital and community based as indicated by the HSE-ICGP Weight Management Treatment Algorithm, the clinical care pathway utilised by health-care professionals. Early detection and treatment are key. We now have indicative evidence to show that we are halting the incidence of overweight and obesity and that future work will seek to reverse the trend. My Special Action Group on Obesity (SAGO), with whom I meet regularly, is progressing the obesity prevention agenda. Some of the measures and initiatives to help reverse the growing prevalence of obesity in the Irish population include Calorie posting and publication of the Healthy Eating Guidelines to inform people about the food and drink choices required for a healthy lifestyle and set out in plain and simple language the food servings the Irish population need to consume to maintain health and well-being. SAGO has recently established a sub-committee to investigate and develop a range of options to support healthy eating. The Department of Health has worked with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, with regard to the marketing of food and drink to children towards a new Children’s Code up to 18 years, to restrict marketing of high fat, high salt and high sugar foods and drinks up to 7pm. Treatment algorithms inform primary care staff of the steps to be taken with regard to managing obesity. Both ‘adult’ and ‘child’ algorithms have been agreed with health care professionals and are now available.
A key feature of the development of Healthy Ireland was engagement and collaboration across Government Departments. Such collaboration will continue to be a significant feature of the implementation strategy, which is now focused on, among other things, the development of an outcomes framework and a National Physical Activity Plan.
