Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I was at a conference on older people recently where I heard that a study in Sweden has outlined that poor nutrition will kill more and cost more than obesity. Eating the wrong types of food will have a more detrimental effect. We sometimes forget that. Equally, the Growing Up in Ireland study told us about far more than just the issue of obesity. It also told us our 13 year olds are happy and we must look at that. There is always a contradiction between our children being healthy and active and being careful that they do not obsess about body image, which brings with it even more complications and difficulties. It is not as straightforward as we sometimes think. We must be balanced and careful.

The Minister for Health received the report The Cost of Overweight and Obesity on the Island of Ireland, funded by safefood Ireland and conducted by UCC. This study provides reliable figures for the annual economic cost of weight related ill health in Ireland. Initial findings estimate the annual cost to be ¤1.13 billion. The direct health care costs are ¤398 million, or 35% of total costs. In addition to this, two thirds of the economic costs were indirect costs in reduced or lost productivity and absenteeism, and these amounted to ¤728 million.

These figures show a compelling case for obesity prevention based on changes in our food environment and physical activity levels. Obesity is the major health problem in Ireland, with studies showing that two out of every three adults, one in four primary school children and one in five teenagers are overweight or obese. Of particular concern is that in children as young as three years of age, one in four are overweight or obese.

Since entering office, the Minister for Health has made overweight and obesity a public health priority and has established a special action group on obesity. The group comprises key stakeholders and is chaired by the Department of Health. The Department recognises that no single initiative will reverse this growing trend but a combination of measures should make a difference. Currently, the special action group is concentrating on measures such as calorie posting in restaurants. The Minister has met food outlets and held a national consultation, and a tool to support food outlets in working out the calorie content of meals is being developed and a tax on sugar-sweetened drinkshas been introduced. The grouphas carried out a health impact assessment and presented to the Minister a proposal based on the evidence for consideration. Action has been taken on the marketing of food and drinks to childrenand the groupis working with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland on new codes to restrict marketing of high fat, high salt and high sugar foods and drinks until 7 p.m. There has been action on the supply of healthy food products in vending machines. On the detection and treatment of obesity, three specialist obesity treatment centres have been established. The group is promoting the healthy eating and physical activity guidelines that were published this year and considering a physical activity plan.

The group is taking a cross-sectoral approach to help halt the rise in overweight and obesity. Of major importance is the new health and well-being framework for Ireland which will be launched as part of Ireland's Presidency of the EU. This is an overarching strategic framework for sustained action to improve the health and well-being of the nation and will have as its key goals an increase in the number of Irish people who are healthy at all stages of life, the reduction of health inequalities, the protection of the public from threats to health and
well-being, and the creation of an environment where every sector of society can play its part. This new framework will further prioritise the importance of preventing overweight and obesity in the Irish population, particularly in children. I thank the Senator for raising the matter.