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The Nutrition and Health Foundation today called for recognition of the importance of the multi-stakeholder approach in addressing obesity during their presentation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children. The presentation reflected the wide number of factors involved in the development of obesity and its medical complications, which have significant medical, social and economic costs. “There is no single cause of obesity and therefore there is no simple answer – obesity needs to be tackled from a number of angles,” stated Dr Muireann Cullen, Manager of the Nutrition and Health Foundation (NHF).

In her address, Dr Cullen stated, “Ireland needs a cultural and attitudinal change concerning obesity, eating patterns and physical activity levels. The key to it all is a balance between energy in (eating) and out (exercising). The first step is to halt the upward trend. This is not something that can be achieved overnight, it will take time.”

“There is a strong need for ‘joined-up’ policy, with cross collaboration between all key stakeholders and real, practical engagement by both the public and the private sectors in order to take control of Ireland’s obesity problem. Through this approach we can all help support people to make the right choices for their health -their greatest asset -and the health of their children,” according to Dr Cullen.

In January 2009, Mary Wallace, TD, former Minister for State with responsibility for food safety and health promotion, established and chaired the Inter-sectoral Group on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the National Task Force on Obesity. This group, of which the NHF is a member, comprises representatives of all stakeholders, including experts from government departments and agencies, the food industry and relevant non-government organisations. In April 2009, a progress report was published and whilst it outlines significant progress made, recent research (1) shows that the level of adult obesity in Ireland has risen from 18% (in 2001) to 25% (in 2008). Over 300,000 Irish children are overweight or obese and this number is expected to grow by 10,000 annually (2).

“Of particular concern, is the fact that the chronic health conditions associated with obesity will affect the next generation at a younger age,” concluded Dr Cullen.

(1) Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance, North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey (2001); Slan 2007 Survey of Lifestyle;Attitudes and Nutrition in Ireland (2008).

(2) Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance, National Children’s Food Survey (2005).

The Nutrition and Health Foundation (NHF) was established in 2005 within IBEC to promote healthy lifestyles in Ireland and bring together industry, government, scientists and health professionals in order to provide consumers with evidence-based information on nutrition and physical activity, and thus enable consumers to make informed lifestyle choices.

One of the NHF’s core aims is to implement wherever possible the recommendations from the National Taskforce on Obesity Report.