Ireland has second worst obesity rate in Europe

Posted by Bronwen Maher on December 07, 2010 at 02:37 PM

         Latest statistics are another damning legacy of Fianna Fail

 
Labour MEP Nessa Childers today condemned the latest international health statistics which show that Ireland ranks second worst in Europe for levels of obesity. According to a new report published by the European Commission today, 23% of Irish adults are considered to be obese.
 
She said, "This figure is very worrying and is the legacy of Fianna Fails failed social policies over the past decade. The growth in overweight and obesity rates among adults is a major public health concern. Obesity is a known risk factor for numerous health problems, including hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory problems like asthma and arthritis.”
 
Childers is an MEP on the influential Environment Committee, whose proposals before the European Parliament have included clearer food labelling, better food in schools and childcare facilities, restrictions on advertising unhealthy food to children and VAT reductions on fruit and vegetables.
 
“I am campaigning for easy-to-understand pack labelling. Red, amber or green signs show whether nutrient levels are high, medium or low. We want to see the removal of artificial trans-fats which are used to boost the shelf-life of countless foods linked to an increased risk of heart disease. There should also be a ban on junk food ads targeting children, not just on TV but also in online games, pop-ups and text messaging.
 
“As well as providing regular exercise as part of the curriculum, schools should ensure fresh fruit and vegetables are provided in vending machines and foods high in salt, sugar or fat are removed from sale.”
 
She added, “If a child’s weight is above a healthy norm they are at greater risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer later in life. Obesity and weight and diet-related disease are already approaching epidemic proportions. We need to be doing much more, far sooner.
 
"We know from the hugely successful book The Spirit Level that many social and health indicators like rates of obesity are linked statistically to rates of inequality in a society. This has again proven to be the case in Ireland which is one of the most unequal countries in the western world. Again, another damning indictment of not only Mary Harney's health policies but of Fianna Fail itself over the past decade."

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