Levels of obesity have increased among people from all social classes in the population over the past four years, according to new data published yesterday.
However, the data, which is contained in the 2003 annual report from the National Nutrition Surveillance Centre, showed that the highest overall prevalence of obesity is among those with no education, only primary education or only some secondary education.
Obesity levels among this group were more than twice that of those with third-level education.
Those from lower social classes showed the highest levels of obesity at 17 per cent. The data was collected for the national health and lifestyle surveys published in April.
That showed a 3 per cent increase in obesity levels between 1998 and 2002, and yesterday's report contained a more in-depth analysis of that data.
It indicated that people who are single or who have never married are less likely to be obese, at 11 per cent, compared to those who are married/cohabiting at 15 per cent, or who are widowed, separated or divorced, at 14 per cent.
More men than women are obese, and it is more likely to be a problem in the 35-to-54 age group.
Overall, 14.4 per cent of men and 11.8 per cent of women are obese. And some 41.9 per cent of men and 26.5 per cent of women are overweight.
The study found that 83 per cent of almost 6,000 respondents were consuming more than the recommended three portions or less a day of foods high in fat and sugar.
People from higher social classes are significantly more likely to consume the recommended six-plus servings daily of cereals, breads and potatoes, the report said.
In addition, more people in higher educational and social classes, living in urban locations and living with others, consumed the recommended number of two servings daily of meat, fish or poultry.
Overall, use of butter has decreased from 60 to 48 per cent since 1998. However, medical-card holders and males are more likely to consume it daily.
Men in the 18-34 age group and those in lower social classes continue to consume significantly more fried food, the report said.
Some 33.6 per cent of respondents reported being on some form of diet, up from 30.2 per cent in 1998.
The regional results of the National Health and Lifestyle Surveys 2003, also published yesterday, showed people living in the Northern Area Health Board (NAHB) - north inner Dublin and north Co Dublin - had the highest rate of obesity at 15.7 per cent while those in the East Coast Area health board (south Dublin, Wicklow) had the lowest rate at 9.8 per cent. The highest rate of obesity among males occurred in the mid-west at 18.2 per cent, and among women highest rates were in the NAHB area at 15 per cent.Those living in health-board areas in the east were more likely to be on a weight-reducing diet.
The Western Health Board area had the highest percentage of people consuming the recommended number of servings of fruit and vegetables daily at 72 per cent. People in the eastern health board areas were more likely thathe rest of the country to consume the recommended two servings per day of fish, meat and poultry.
This study also showed girls were more likely than boys to skip breakfast. Some 20 per cent of boys in the NAHB area reported not eating breakfast during the week.
The National Health and Lifestyle Surveys published yesterday incorporate the regional results of the SLÁN (Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes & Nutrition) and HBSC (Health Behaviour in School Aged Children) surveys.