I am delighted to be here today along with my colleague, Minister Seán Power, to launch the report of the National Taskforce on Obesity. I wish to thank John Treacy, Chairman of the Taskforce, for inviting me to launch what is set to emerge as one of the most important and far-reaching health reports of its kind.
Obesity has become one of the fastest growing health problems in Ireland today. 39% of adults are overweight in this country and 18% are obese. The cost of treating obesity and related illnesses in Ireland is estimated at almost half a billion euro, whilst, most frighteningly, this year alone, 2,000 premature deaths will be attributed to obesity.
Furthermore, children are now being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes – a condition previously only seen in adults. In fact, excess bodyweight is now the most prevalent childhood disease in Ireland. Data suggests that there are more than 300,000 overweight and obese children on this island, with a potential rise of 10,000 new cases every year. These figures alone indicate that as a nation, we must prioritise the issue of childhood obesity and tackle the problem head on.
I fully accept the report’s central proposition that a fundamental policy drive at Government level is required to develop a society which can enable people to eat healthily and partake in physical activity. This is a problem of such complexity that a coordinated, cohesive approach across many different sectors is required, however, before we will witness any impact in combating this phenomenon. It is not an issue we can expect the health sector to deal with in isolation.
Government has to take a leadership role in this area and we need the support of the NGO’s, communities, schools, health professionals and the food industry in achieving goals that will protect all generations from illness, psychological problems and, in many cases, premature death. It is imperative that cross-sectoral policies and strategies are employed. This will enable us to pool our resources and to avoid duplication of effort and confusion about roles and responsibilities. This principle is central to the Taskforce’s report.
We are a small nation, but we have demonstrated in the past that we can take an advocacy role, at an international level, in areas such as this. Ireland led the way for the rest of the world, for example, by becoming the first country to go smoke-free at work. The sceptics predicted that the tobacco legislation would not work but the success of the initiative just goes to show that we can embrace change.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO DATE
In order to respond to this growing problem in our society, the Government established the National Taskforce on Obesity. Its remit was to set out a strategic framework that identifies best practice for prevention, detection and treatment of being overweight or obese. We want to create the social and physical environments necessary for children and adults to eat more healthily and be more active on a regular basis.
In advance of the establishment of this Taskforce, the Health Promotion Unit of the Department of Health and Children has been responding proactively to the increase in overweight cases and obesity through a number of educational and awareness programmes.
These include the 2004 national public awareness campaign Every Step Counts…Small Changes Make the Difference and the publication of a National Play Policy, entitled ‘Ready, Steady, Play’. The National Children's Office is currently working on the development of a National Recreation Policy for 12-17 year olds.
‘Playground Markings’ is a practical initiative, which aims to encourage children to participate in games in the school playground. Using traditional games, such as hopscotch, the aim is to incorporate physical activity into children’s daily routines. The idea that in some schools, children are actually not allowed to run in the playground for fear of litigation in the event of a fall is nothing short of shocking. This is the type of fundamental issue that needs to be addressed if we are to have any hope of creating healthier environments for our children.
Government investment in recent years in the implementation of the Cardiovascular Health Strategy has helped put much of the infrastructure in place to address obesity prevention. So far, almost €60 million has been invested in implementing the strategy. Physical activity co-ordinators were appointed for the first time throughout the Health Services Executive Area and an additional 36 new community dieticians were also recruited.
These initiatives have provided us with an excellent starting point from which to tackle the problem. And now, the Taskforce’s Report provides us with a new focus and a new challenge, which needs to be taken up by all stakeholders in this area.
WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE
While some people characterise Government intervention in areas like this as “nanny state”, it is, in fact, quite the opposite. We are trying to empower people to make healthier choices and provide access to a healthier lifestyle. In other words, ‘making the healthier choice the easier choice’.
In fact, international experts refer to what is called the “obesogenic environment” as a way of describing a world which is dominated by sedentary pursuits and a poor diet.
It is the responsibility of Government to take a leadership role in trying to influence and ultimately change this environment and to do this we need cross-sectoral support from both the private and public sectors.
In this context I note the desire of the food industry to play a responsible role as reflected for example in the initiative by IBEC to establish the Nutritution and Health Foundation.
CONCLUSION
I understand that this is the first formal report within the EU to be submitted to a Government by a National Taskforce on Obesity. It is a tribute to officials at the Department of Health and Children and to members of the Taskforce that such a robust and challenging document has emerged today.
I particularly acknowledge the stellar chairmanship of John Treacy, Chief Executive of the Irish Sports Council, who gave so much of his time to ensuring the completion of this work.
Minister Seán Power will bring the report before my Cabinet colleagues and I will impress upon them the urgency for action and the need for cooperation and collaboration between Government Departments.
This report presents Government and other key stakeholders with major policy challenges but these are not insurmountable. We have now been provided with a clear set of guidelines – a blueprint for the future – and I am confident that by working together and integrating policies with practical initiatives we can reach our goal in curbing the rise of obesity in our society.
Today, through the launch of this report, we are laying the foundations for a healthier Ireland over the decades to come.