Obesity time bomb is ticking louder than ever - north and south

An international conference is being held in Belfast today to look at modern developments in tackling obesity.

The ‘All Island Conference on Obesity – Obesity: Weighing up the evidence’ was jointly opened by Northern Ireland Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey and Republic of Ireland Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Ms Mary Wallace.

The conference has been organised by the Health Promotion Agency (NI) and the Health Service Executive (RoI) and comes at a time when obesity rates are increasing in both jurisdictions.

In his opening remarks the Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: “There is no doubt that the obesity time bomb in Northern Ireland is ticking louder than ever. Our level of obesity, especially amongst our children is incredibly worrying. If we are to tackle this challenge, I strongly believe that public health must be at the centre of what we do.

“The new dedicated Agency for Public Health and Social Well-being will have a central role in driving forward the public health agenda and our cross departmental obesity strategy Fit Futures. We will also continue to work closely across jurisdictions, to share experience and expertise in order to make the best possible inroads into this shared problem.”

The minister continued, “Government cannot however tackle obesity on its own. I believe that we can certainly encourage and promote healthy eating and physical activity but as a society, we must take more individual responsibility for our own health outcomes.”

Ms Mary Wallace, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children with special responsibility for Health Promotion, expressed her concern that the rise in obesity threatens to halt the inroads made in recent years in tackling some of the more traditional killer diseases. The minister referred to recently released figures from the SLAN 2007 Report (Survey of Lifestyle, Attitude & Nutrition) which indicate that 39% of the population of the Republic are overweight and 25% are obese.

Stressing the urgency in tackling the problem of obesity, Minister Wallace said: “Actions taken must target both nutrition and physical activity. Individuals are responsible for lifestyle choices which determine health in later years. It is wise to maintain a healthy weight, thereby avoiding the problem of obesity and the chronic diseases associated with it, which impact on the individual, broader society and also the health services.”

Notes to editors:

1. The Conference is being held at the Europa Hotel, Belfast and will run until Friday 14 November 2008.

2. The Conference’s main themes include:

• Obesity – challenges facing our future
• An overview of the Foresight Report – a holistic approach to preventing and tackling obesity.
• Healthy Eating – Healthy Action, New Zealand – a success story?
• Change 4 Life Programme
• Promoting physical activity and healthy diet – key messages

3. The World Health Organisation’s latest global projection is that by 2015 there will be approximately 2.3 billion adults overweight and more than 700 million being obese.

4. In Northern Ireland 60% of adults have a weight problem and as many as 1 in 5 are obese. Figures from 2006/07 show that approximately 22% of Northern Ireland’s Primary school children are classed as overweight and obese.

5. Figures from the SLAN 2007 Report (Survey of Lifestyle, Attitude & Nutrition) indicate that 39% of the population of the Republic are overweight and 25% are obese.

6. Press enquiries for NI to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0575. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

7. Press enquiries for ROI to 00353 1635 3036.