Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this issue. This is not the first time I have raised obesity and related issues in the House, nor will it be the last. My reason for doing so is to try to increase awareness of the complexity of the issue of childhood obesity and ensure it continues to appear on the radar of the Departments of Health and Education and Skills, as well as other Departments that have an input in this area, which is the most important public health issue the country will face for a generation.

Deputies will be aware of the various diseases and illnesses which occur as a direct consequence of obesity, notably hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and obesity related cancers. If we fail to intervene with the younger generation, intervention at a later date will be much more difficult. I contrast the lack of action being taken on obesity with the action taken elsewhere in the education system, namely, the green flag initiative.

Childhood obesity is largely linked to behaviour and the earlier one intervenes to change behaviour, the better. Some form of rewards mechanism should be introduced and what better rewards mechanism is there than a whole school or whole community approach to address the problem of obesity. The Department of Education and Skills may well argue that such an initiative, the active school flag initiative, is already in place and while this is a good scheme, its primary focus is on persuading children to become more active. I am seeking a more holistic approach to addressing the obesity problem, one which encompasses the healthy eating policies in place in many schools, the social, personal and health education, SPHE, programme in place in all schools and the curriculum content of science and other subjects. Such an approach is needed to ensure children are encouraged to have healthy eating as one of their goals and objectives.

Schools cannot act as nannies and the Departments of Health and Education and Skills cannot take responsibility for what individuals consume.

However, we have a responsibility to make people aware of what they are consuming and how it affects their lives. When we undertake a public awareness campaign, we also have an obligation to show all of the community the merits.

Environmental benefits accrued through the national reduction in litter are due in no small way to the green flag initiative. Schools across the country have green committees that are led by pupils and engaged with by teachers, parents, school management and the wider community. As public representatives, we have all been invited to celebrations at which local personalities and sports people to whom children look up have hoisted green flags. The flag has an obvious benefit.

The Department of Health, the Department of Finance or someone else can tell people that the best way to tackle obesity is to put an extra 10 cent on a bottle of Coca-Cola. While such an increase may be part of the solution down the road, tackling our eating behaviours and levels of activity and exercise through public pronouncements by schools - it could also be through workplaces - is essential. We will lose a generation. In 1990, one in ten Irish men was classified as obese. Today, the figure is one in four. Will be it one in two or even worse in 20 years time?

Under a US initiative, the First Lady, Ms Michelle Obama, moved away from the food pyramid that is outlined in every classroom in this country to a food plate, a simple schematic that shows people how to lay out a plate. This is not just an issue of food intake. Rather, it is an issue of sending people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and income levels a simple message about the associated health dangers.

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