John Paul Phelan
Question:299. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health when he intends to publish the review of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10712/23]
View answerThursday, 2 March 2023
Questions (299)
Written answers
A Healthy Weight for Ireland, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland Framework (Healthy Ireland: A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025). It was developed in recognition of the growing need for a co-ordinated policy response to the increasing problem of obesity in Ireland and the increasing burden placed on individuals and society.
OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications, and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. It recognises that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted problem and needs a multi-pronged solution, with every sector of society playing its part. Childhood obesity is a key priority under OPAP, as is reducing the inequalities seen in obesity rates, where children (and adults) from lower socioeconomic groups have higher levels of obesity.
In the context of preparing a review of the OPAP, UCC was commissioned to conduct an independent evaluation. This evaluation covers the period January 2016 to May 2021.
The Department of Health carried out a Review of the OPAP which provides an update as to the current status of some of the main deliverables in the Ten Steps to end October 2022. It also aligns the Ten Steps suite of population-health approaches in OPAP with the WHO European Regional Obesity Report 20225 and the policy options the WHO recommends on managing obesity throughout the life course, thus signposting key actions to consider out to 2025.
Both the independent evaluation of OPAP by UCC and the Review of OPAP by the Department of Health were published in November 2022 and can be found on the Healthy Ireland website at gov.ie - Healthy Ireland Policies (www.gov.ie).