Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2016
87. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health his Department's plans for addressing levels of childhood obesity; and the measures his Department is taking to promote better nutrition, healthy eating and increased levels of physical activity among children and young persons. [15261/16]
View answerChildhood obesity is reaching alarming proportions in many countries and poses an urgent and serious challenge. In Ireland 1 in 4 children are currently overweight or obese. Overweight and obesity are conditions which develop over a number of years in both children and adults. The determinants are multiple and include the built environment, access to healthy and affordable food, exercise and leisure activity, cultural and societal norms, education and skill levels, genetic makeup and individual lifestyle choices. The key issue is to make the healthy choice the easy choice. Government policy and action in a wide range of areas impact on most of these lifestyle determinants. Efforts to address overweight and obesity therefore require a cross-sectoral approach. It is not solely the job of the health sector as obesity prevention requires a societal response rather than a medical solution.
The Department of Health has recently finalised an Obesity Policy and Action Plan - "A Healthy Weight for Ireland" which will cover the period until 2025 and sets targets to be achieved and actions that will produce measurable outcomes in the battle against obesity and particularly childhood obesity. Minister Harris will shortly bring a proposal to Government in this regard.
