Eoin Hayes (Dublin Bay South, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

939. To ask the Minister for Health her views on the rise of both childhood and adult obesity, the policies of her Department and Government plans to reduce obesity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61041/25]

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A Healthy Weight for Ireland, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland Framework (Healthy Ireland: A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025). OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent associated health risks, and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. It recognises that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted challenge and needs a multi-pronged response, with every sector of society playing its part.

Since the implementation of OPAP, levels of obesity and overweight have stabilised in Ireland.

According to the Healthy Ireland Survey 2024, the rate of obesity (for all ages from 15 years old) is at 21% and the rate of overweight at 35%. This data is collected every second year of the Healthy Ireland survey and overweight and obesity rates have been just under 60% for a number of years. There has been little change in our rates since OPAP was launched.

Data for children is collected separately through the WHO Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) – the latest round, published last year shows that overall, one in five primary school children are now living with overweight or obesity, a small overall improvement over the lifetime of the OPAP. However, this figure remains at one in four for children in DEIS schools.

It is welcome that obesity rates are not rising. However, given the projected increase to the overall population and in particular the aging profile of our population, with greater numbers of older adults living with the health impacts of overweight and obesity in the coming decades, it is key that we seek to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity to reduce associated risks and costs to future healthcare.

Work on the drafting of a successor to OPAP is well underway. Several workshops and focus groups with stakeholders have been held to date, with a public consultation on draft strategic priorities held during August and September 2025. As a new policy has developed over the course of this year, research gaps and evidence-needs have been reviewed and will be taken into consideration in the next obesity policy to ensure all initiatives are evidence-based.

The new strategy will aim to capture all aspects relating to supporting a healthier weight for everyone in Ireland, including, but not limited to, education, health promotion, obesity prevention, with a particular focus on enabling measures for a healthier food environment and continuing the implementation of the HSE Model of Care for the Management and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity.