Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will address the increase in diseases related to lifestyle such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39307/09]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Approximately 60% of our disease burden is accounted for by 7 leading risk factors. These are tobacco, alcohol, cholesterol, overweight, high blood pressure, poor diet and physical inactivity. Almost 80% of heart disease, stroke and diabetes could be avoided if major risk factors were eliminated.

The recent Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition (SLAN 2007) showed the level of these risk factors in the adult population with high levels of physical inactivity, 80% of the population eating too much energy dense foods, smoking rates that have plateaued, 64% of the population having high blood pressure and approximately three quarters having high cholesterol.

SLAN found evidence that positive lifestyles behaviours, including being physically active, eating sufficient fruit and vegetables, not smoking and drinking in moderation exert a profound impact on health.

The control of many of these factors lies outside the direct influence of the health services. Recognising that inter-sectoral action is required, my Department is taking the lead role in developing various policies and initiatives aimed at addressing these lifestyle issues.

Among these initiatives are the establishment of an Inter-sectoral Group on Obesity, the launch of National Guidelines on Physical Activity, the development of a new Cardiovascular Health Policy and the establishment of a steering group to develop a National Substance Misuse Strategy.