Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

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 excessive weight and obesity, in particular childhood obesity. It attributed the development of excessive weight and obesity to many factors. This wide range of factors made it essential for a multisectorial approach to be taken to deal with the relevant issues. The report provided 93 recommendations for action to include central government, the education sector, the social and community sector, the health sector, food production and supply and the physical environment.

An intersectorial group on obesity, comprising relevant Departments and key stakeholders, was established early in 2009 to oversee and monitor implementation of the task force's recommendations. It published a report in April 2009, detailing progress on each of the recommendations, and showed significant progress was made in the case of 30 of the recommendations, partial implementation had occurred on 29, and action was 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 was a continuing need for concerted action to halt the rise in obesity. The group also gave some consideration to key priority areas for action in the short to medium term. Among those highlighted were measures to increase physical activity among children; 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 the accompanying website "Get Ireland Active". 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 intersectorial group on obesity is being examined in the wider review of policy on lifestyle related illnesses, of 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 presently.