John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, who cannot be here tonight. I thank Deputy Devins for raising this matter.

The report of the national task force on obesity, Obesity the Policy Challenges, provided the policy framework for addressing the high prevalence and rising levels of overweight and obesity, in particular childhood obesity. It attributed the development of overweight and obesity to many factors. The involvement of this wide range of factors made it essential that a multi-sectoral approach be taken to deal with the relevant issues. The report provided 93 recommendations of action aimed at six sectors, including central Government, the education, social and community and health sectors, food production and supply and the physical environment.

An inter-sectoral group on obesity, comprising relevant Departments and key stakeholders was established early in 2009 to oversee and monitor implementation of the recommendations of the taskforce. The group published a report in April 2009 detailing progress on each of the recommendations. Its examination showed that significant progress was made in respect of 30 of the recommendations, partial implementation has occurred in respect of 29 and action is progressing on a further 26, leaving only eight where little progress was reported.

The report indicated that while significant progress had been made across all sectors, there is a continuing need for concerted action to halt the rise in obesity. The group also considered key priority areas for action in the short to medium term. The group's overriding concern was the need for concerted Government action driven at the highest level to ensure a consistent approach to the implementation of the recommendations of the taskforce. Among the areas highlighted were measures to increase physical activity among children, continued awareness programmes about the dangers of excessive consumption of foods high in fat, sugar and salt, increased control of the advertising and marketing of food and drinks aimed at children, improved training for health professionals in obesity prevention and diagnosis and counselling for those at risk of obesity.

Since the April 2009 report a significant development has been the publication in 2009 of the first national guidelines on physical activity and accompanying Get Ireland Active website. Based on best international practice, the guidelines specify the recommended levels of daily physical activity for people of all ages and abilities. The work of the inter-sectoral group on obesity is currently being examined in the context of a wider review of policy in regard to lifestyle-related illnesses to which obesity is a major contributory factor. Elements of this work will also be progressed in the forthcoming policy on cardiovascular disease which will be completed shortly.

I have taken account of Deputy Devin's remarks in respect of the importance of the deliberations of yesterday's meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children. I will take up his request this evening for a full Dáil debate on obesity with the Minister and Whips' Office.

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