Two-thirds of all Irish men and almost one half of Irish women are overweight or obese, according to a new survey by the Food Safety Promotion Board.
The survey found that obesity in men has more than doubled in the last ten years, and that men have now overtaken women in the obesity stakes. Twenty per cent of men are now obese compared with eight per cent in 1990.
In women the rate of obesity is 16 per cent, up from 13 per cent. The highest prevalence of obesity in any one group is in women over the age of 50, at almost 30 per cent.
Professor Michael Gibney of Trinity College, Dublin, said the high prevalence of obesity in Ireland has significant health implications.
"Obesity is strongly related to diabetes, and is also linked with increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, gall bladder disease, bone joint disorders and certain cancers," he said.
"The incidence of obesity increases with age and the findings predict that an epidemic of adult-onset diabetes will face the health service sector in the not-too-distant future."
The survey suggests an increasingly inactive lifestyle is a major factor in the upward trend in overweight and obesity. Physical activity levels were found to be generally low, particularly in women.
Men spend less than two hours per week and women about one hour in vigourous exercise such as sports, jogging or aerobics. Irish people spend most of their leisure time watching TV - an average of 19 hours per week for both men and women.
In terms of diet the survey found most Irish people were deficient in vital vitamins and minerals; did not meet the nutritional goal for dietary fibre or carbohydrate; and consumed more than the recommended level of fat.
The survey found that most adults consumed alcohol in moderation. In an average week, one third of adults do not drink at all and intake is within recommended limits in 71 per cent and 84 per cent women. A significant minority (almost 30 per cent of men and 16 per cent women) consume alcohol to excess.
Almost one-third of men and women currently smoke.
