THE PUBLICATION this week of a sub-report of the 2007 Slán survey Dietary Habits of the Irish Populationis a wake-up call for policymakers. The report confirms that two-thirds of adults in the Republic are overweight, with 23 per cent classified as obese.
Earlier this year the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey found one in four boys and almost one in three girls here are overweight. The findings mean we have a similar prevalence of obesity as Scotland and England, with obesity levels here just 5 per cent lower than those found in the United States.
One of the interesting findings to emerge from the latest report was that our daily food energy intake, at 2,278 kilocalories per day has not changed when compared with the Slán surveys of 2002 and 1998. It suggests our rising obesity levels are due, in large measure, to an increasing imbalance between physical activity and our calorie intake. An excess of 500 kilocalories per day typically leads to a weight increase of about 1 lb (0.45 kg) per week. Another factor identified in the latest survey was our greater than recommended intake of protein and fat. A significant proportion of excess calories is derived from foods high in fats and sugar. And our salt intake is also well in excess of what is good for us.
There are four basic lifestyle behaviours that underpin good health: eating five or more daily servings of fruit and vegetables; not smoking; being a moderate drinker of alcohol; and being physically active. People who practise all of these behaviours can expect to live 14 years longer than those who do not follow a healthy lifestyle.
Minister of State with responsibility for health promotion Mary Wallace has promised a national nutrition policy early next year. Her interest and commitment to preventive health is welcome. It contrasts with the relative silence on these issues since Micheál Martin left the Department of Health. The failure of former taoiseach Bertie Ahern to lead the cross sector implementation of the 2005 obesity taskforce report was another sign that obesity is not being fully addressed by government.
While Ms Wallace must accept the indifferent track record on health promotion issues of Minister for Health Mary Harney, most recently illustrated by her decision not to proceed with the planned national cervical cancer vaccination programme, she would do well to seek the support of the Green Party Ministers in Cabinet. Many of the solutions to obesity dovetail with Green policy. The vocal support of John Gormley and Eamonn Ryan might inject some urgency into this major issue.