Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 October 2016
121. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve healthy eating habits in view of the recent findings in the Healthy Ireland survey 2016 that 27% of the population reported eating fruit and vegetables daily compared with 60% eating processed and unhealthy snacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32364/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recently launched 'A Healthy Weight for Ireland – Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016 - 2025'. This Obesity Policy and Action Plan is the result of the Government's desire to assist its people to achieve better health and in particular to reduce the levels of overweight and obesity. It also acknowledges that the solutions are multiple and that every sector has a role in reducing the burden of this condition.
The Policy recognises that healthy eating plays a major role in the prevention of overweight and obesity, as well as in other diet related diseases. The Action Plan includes a range of initiatives to encourage healthy eating. The first of these will be the launch of revised Healthy Eating Guidelines next month and the development of a proposal for a Nutrition Policy and Action Plan led by my Department
Other healthy eating priority actions to commence in the coming year include:
- a 'whole of school' approach to healthy lifestyle programmes, including nutrition;
- a levy on sugar-sweetened drinks in 2018;
- agreement on food reformulation targets with the food industry to reduce fat, sugar and salt in foods and drinks;
- a code of practice for food and drinks promotion, marketing, sponsorship and product placement;
- legislation for calorie posting to support people to make healthy choices;
- a communications strategy to increase knowledge about the benefits of being a healthy weight and to stimulate healthy behaviour change; and
- targeting socially disadvantaged high-risk groups through community development programmes that support healthy eating and the prevention and management of overweight and obesity.
