Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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447. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to tackle obesity within school children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23559/16]

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Childhood obesity is a major public health issue. In Ireland one in four children is currently either overweight or obese. Overweight and obesity are conditions which develop over a number of years and obesity tends to track into adulthood. Overweight and obesity are not just about the shape or size of the individual. These conditions are associated strongly with chronic diseases such as Type II Diabetes, certain cancers, chronic heart and circulation diseases, musculoskeletal problems and mental health problems. The causes, risk factors and determinants of overweight and obesity are multiple and it is not simply over eating or/and lack of exercise. These risk factors include access and availability of affordable healthy food, safe exercise and leisure activity and facilities, cultural and social norms, education and skills, genetic and biological factors as well as individual lifestyle choices.

The Department of Health has finalised ‘A Healthy Weight for Ireland - Obesity Policy and Action Plan, 2016-2025’ which sets an ambitious but realistic target of reversing the current trends of childhood overweight and obesity. The principles of the Policy are based on the Healthy Ireland Framework. It takes a whole of Government and a whole of society approach where every sector is making a valuable contribution to prevent and reduce the current levels. It is based on best available evidence and benefited greatly from an extensive process of consultation with children and young people. The Policy will be launched later in the year.