Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 February 2024
152. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health what suite of policy options on nutrition for Ireland were identified by the WHO to inform the midterm review of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8168/24]
View answerA 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 coordinated 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. OPAP is well aligned with the World Health Organisation in terms of the breadth of policy measures that have been introduced or are being considered in order to address the obesity epidemic.
A mid-term evaluation was carried out by UCC which covered the period 2016 to May 2021 which examined implementation and progress on delivery of the actions under the OPAP. A copy of this Evaluation is attached for information.
Separately, an internal review of the Obesity Policy Action Plan was published by the Department in November 2022 which provided an update on the status of some of the main deliverables in the Ten Steps suite of population-health approaches of the OPAP.
In preparing the review, the Department of Health sought support from the WHO on identifying Policy Options for better Nutrition in Ireland.
The WHO recommendations are grouped around 5 key themes, set out below:
Theme 1- Healthy Food and Drink Environments
Theme 2- Healthy Diets throughout the Life-course
Theme 3- Health Systems for the Promotion of Healthy Diets
Theme 4- Surveillance, Monitoring, Evaluation and Research
Theme 5: Governance and Intersectoral Alliances
The full review of the OPAP is attached and the WHO Policy Options on Nutrition for Ireland can be found at Appendix 2.
The OPAP Review aligns the Ten Steps in OPAP with the WHO European Regional Obesity Report 2022 which included wide-ranging policy options the WHO recommends for addressing and managing obesity throughout the life-course, in addition to the WHO policy options on nutrition for Ireland.
Evaluation of the Implementation of A Healthy Weight for Ireland
