Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I agree that prevention is better than cure. Lifestyle modifications, such as weight loss to achieve a desirable weight, increased physical activity among young and old people and healthy food habits including reduced intake of saturated fat and cholesterol are the primary means of intervening to manage long-term and short-term metabolic risk factors. The report of the task force on obesity, which contained over 90 recommendations, was published earlier this year. The recommendations do not all relate to the work of the Department of Health and Children, as some of them relate to other Departments and agencies. Some €3 million was allocated in the Book of Estimates last week for the implementation of the report's recommendations. The Department will present its plan for the implementation of the recommendations shortly. I am aware of the significance and importance of dealing at an early stage with the problem of obesity, which has been described by the World Health Organisation as an epidemic. The evident increase in obesity in Ireland is another example of an unfortunate problem that has accompanied this country's increased affluence. Hospitals have reported cases of teenagers developing type 2 diabetes, which is normally associated with older people.

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