Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 746: To ask the Minister for Health his plans to tackle the obesity epidemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20328/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased at alarming speed in recent decades, so much so that the World Health Organisation calls it a global epidemic. The disease is now a major public health problem throughout Europe. The high levels of obesity in all age groups of the Irish population are of increasing concern to me but of particular concern are the rising levels of obesity in young children. Recent figures from research commissioned by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs found that an alarming figure of 1 in 4 children are overweight or obese at 3 years of age.

The situation in Ireland mirrors the global obesity epidemic, with 61% of Irish adults now overweight or obese. Most worrying is the fact that childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in Europe, with body weight now the most prevalent childhood disease. 26% of 9 year old Irish children are overweight or obese. WHO Europe Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative, in which Ireland participated in 2009, found that 23% of 7 year olds are overweight or obese.

During 2011 I established a Special Action Group on Obesity comprising key stakeholders, and chaired by my own Department. The group includes a representative from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Department of Education and Skills, the Health Service Executive, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and Safefood and its remit is to examine and progress a number of issues to address the complex and multi-factorial problem of obesity.

Alone no single initiative will reverse the trend, but a combination of measures should make a difference. The Special Action Group is concentrating on a specific range of measures including Healthy Eating Guidelines for the Irish population, restricting the marketing of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt to children, nutritional labelling, calorie posting on restaurant menus, the promotion of physical activity and the detection and treatment of obesity. The Group will work with other Government Departments in a cross-sectoral approach to help halt the rise in overweight and obesity.

As part of the work plan of SAGO, in February I launched a national consultation to seek opinions on the best way of putting calorie information on menus in Ireland. This is an initiative I announced late last year when I wrote to Fast Food Outlets and Cafes requesting that they begin including calories on their menus. The consultation, being conducted by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, is an opportunity for consumers and the food industry to give their views on how 'calories on menus' can be best implemented in Ireland. The outcome of the consultation will be available at the end of April 2012 and the results, when analysed will inform the next steps in the process.

Given the available evidence in the area, the Special Action Group on Obesity has recently recommended the establishment of a Steering Group to oversee the carrying out of a Health Impact Assessment on the health and economic aspects of introducing a Sugar Sweetened Drinks tax. The Institute of Public Health will be facilitating the Department of Health with this assessment.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 747: To ask the Minister for Health the number of obese persons here; the annual rate of increase; the projected number in 10 years' time; the projected number in 25 years' time; the projected number in 50 years' time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20329/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Obesity is now one of the largest public health issues in Europe.

Currently 61% of Irish adults aged 18-64 years are overweight or obese. Levels of overweight and obesity have increased in the last 20 years, with a rise from 51% in 1990 to 61 % in 2011.

In those aged over 65 years, 79% were classified as obese or overweight, 84% of men and 73% of women. Looking at the trend since 2007, this shows a decrease in obesity, but an increase in overweight over the 3-4 year period. The increase in overweight can be seen particularly in men.

Given the data available it is difficult to make projections, however, I am interested in tracking overweight and obesity levels in the Irish population on a regular basis in order to monitor trends carefully and prioritise actions accordingly. My Department is currently considering the best way to achieve this on a regular basis.