Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Tackling obesity is a matter that I have raised numerous times. Recently, I researched a UK study that revealed that, when weight loss management programmes were recommended by general practitioners, GPs, to patients, 40% of those patients lost an average of 2.3 kg, which is a significant amount of weight. Possibly as a result of our culture, GPs often struggle to raise the issue of obesity with their patients out of fear of causing offence or that a consultation will take too much time. However, they would not ignore a melanoma or tumour on a patient's face. We should not skirt around the issue of obesity.

The study showed positive results overall. Of those offered a weight management programme, 77% accepted and 40% of those lost significant amounts of weight. Such a measure is available in Ireland.I think we should be introducing this sort of format for patients - our citizens - and their GPs. If we were to invest in tackling this at an early stage, it would reduce the vast amount of money being spent in our health services on obesity-related illnesses. I have already called for a debate in this House on obesity, particularly childhood obesity. I hope it will take place soon. I look forward to exploring this issue further then.