Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

The report of the national task force on obesity, which was launched by the Taoiseach on 16 May last, will be seen as one of the most important and far-reaching health reports of its kind. Its recommendations, which have the potential to affect the health of our citizens and future generations, seek to lay the foundations for a healthier Ireland for decades to come.

Obesity has become one of the fastest growing health problems in Ireland. The worldwide prevalence of excess weight and obesity has been described by the World Health Organisation as an epidemic. Excess body weight is now the most prevalent childhood disease in Ireland. Data suggests there are more than 300,000 overweight and obese children on the island of Ireland, with a potential rise of 10,000 new cases every year. These figures indicate that, as a nation, we must prioritise the issue of childhood obesity and tackle the problem head on. We cannot afford to be complacent.

We know the key causes of obesity are directly linked to food and physical activity habits and that, in most cases, obesity is preventable. However, prevention is not that simple. Many powerful factors influence personal choice and the problem is of such complexity that a co-ordinated, cohesive approach across many sectors is required before we will see any change in the prevalence of obesity.

It is not an issue we can expect the health sector to deal with in isolation. It is imperative that cross-sectoral policies and strategies are employed to enable us to pool our resources and avoid duplication of effort or confusion about roles and responsibilities. This principle is central to the task force report and is an example of the pragmatic, clear-thinking approach of those who contributed to the development of this important report. I pay tribute to all involved in drawing up the report under the chairmanship of John Treacy. Its preparation involved much effort and hard work, for which I express my thanks and appreciation.

The report's central proposition is that a fundamental policy drive at Government level is required to develop a society which can enable people to eat healthily and partake in physical activity. The Government must take a leadership role in this area. We will need the support of NGOs, communities, schools, health professionals and the food industry in achieving goals that will protect all generations from illness, psychological problems and, in many cases, premature death. The Government must work with other groups to achieve the aims and objectives set out by the task force. However, we need to find the most effective means of implementing multisectoral collaboration. It is imperative that the Government takes responsibility and, ultimately, the leadership role in tackling this substantial, intricate challenge.

I acknowledge the role played by schools in particular, which, in many cases, lay great emphasis on the need for physical activity. While some schools do not have the resources or environment we would all wish them to have, they make every effort to use the facilities made available to them. We must build on that base and encourage all schools, not just some, to adopt that role.

I also acknowledge the role of the food industry. Some sectors of the industry realised the problem late but, nevertheless, they appreciate the difficulty with obesity and, for example, some businesses now take a more responsible approach to providing suitable menus, particularly for children. We would like to build on that beginning. While this is an area where we could and should have been more proactive, we cannot look back. We must look to the future and work with the different groups involved to achieve co-operation towards meeting this challenge together.

Ireland has demonstrated in the past that it can take an advocacy role at an international level in areas such as this. Ireland led the way for the rest of the world by becoming the first country to go smoke-free at work. While the sceptics had predicted that the tobacco legislation would not work, Ireland proved it is a nation that can embrace change. I am confident we will embrace the changes needed to face up to this serious public health problem.

We should not underestimate the scale of the problem, which can sometimes be trivialised. One need only look at the facts to see what lies ahead if this issue is not tackled without delay and at the highest level. Some 39% of Irish adults are overweight and 18% are obese. Children are now being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a condition previously only seen in adults. As much as 58% of type 2 diabetes and 21% of heart disease is attributable to excess body fat. Obesity can also lead to stigma, prejudice and isolation. The cost of treating obesity and related illnesses in Ireland is estimated at almost €500 million and, frighteningly, this year alone, 2,000 premature deaths will be attributed to obesity. Life expectancy of people who are obese at the age of 40 can be reduced by up to seven years when compared with people of a healthy weight.

In response to this startling trend the Government established Ireland's national task force on obesity to set out a strategic framework to identify best practice for prevention, detection and treatment of overweight and obesity and create the social and physical environments that make it easier for children and adults to eat more healthily and be more active on a regular basis.

In advance of the establishment of this task force, the health promotion unit of the Department of Health and Children has been proactively responding to the increase in overweight and obesity through a number of educational and awareness initiatives. These include the 2004 national public awareness campaign to tackle obesity and overweight, Every Step Counts — Small Changes Make the Difference, which highlighted the combined importance of physical activity and healthy eating. Other responses include the publication of a national play policy, Ready, Steady, Play and the National Children's Office is currently working on the development of a national recreation policy for 12 to 18 year olds.

The investment by the Government in recent years towards the implementation of the cardiovascular health strategy has helped put much of the infrastructure in place to address obesity prevention. So far almost €60 million has been invested towards implementing the strategy. Physical activity co-ordinators have been appointed, for the first time, throughout Health Service Executive areas and an additional 36 new community dietitians have also been recruited.

These initiatives have provided us with an excellent starting point for dealing with the issue. However, the report of the task force has provided us with a new focus and challenge which need to be taken up by all relevant stakeholders. The report is trying to empower people to make healthier choices and provide access to a healthier lifestyle, in other words, to make the healthier choice the easier one. It would be remiss of us, as a responsible Government, not to attempt to do this in the face of overwhelming evidence of the risk to health of being overweight and obese.

International experts are referring to an obesogenic environment as a way of describing a world dominated by sedentary pursuits and poor diet. It is the responsibility of Government to take a leadership role in trying to influence and ultimately change this obesogenic environment and we need cross-sectoral support from both private and public sectors in order to do so.

Effective weight management for individuals and groups at risk of developing obesity involves a range of long-term strategies, including prevention, detection, weight maintenance, management of co-morbidities and weight loss. They must be part of an integrated, multisectoral, population-based approach which includes environmental support for healthy diets and regular physical activity. This is a major challenge for Ireland and must include developing public policies that promote the availability and accessibility of a variety of low-fat, high-fibre foods and provide opportunities for physical activity.

The report presents the Government and other key stakeholders with substantial policy challenges, but these are not insurmountable. We have been provided with a clear set of guidelines, a blueprint for the future and we can reach our goal by working together and integrating policies with practical initiatives.