Ireland 'on cusp' of obesity crisis, conference hears

Ireland is on the cusp of an obesity crisis, according to nutrition expert Professor Sylvia Rowe.

Prof Rowe delivered the keynote speech at the Positive Approaches to Obesityconference in Croke Park today, which was organised by the Nutrition and Health Foundation.

"Based on your statistics, it's a coming crisis. You are just on the cusp of a public health issue that's really escalating. It will not get better if it's left unattended," she said.

Prof Rowe is a strategic consultant on food issues and policy with Edelman, Washington DC and former chief executive of the International Food Information Council.

Minister of State at the Department of Health, Mary Wallace, said tackling obesity was a priority. Ms Wallace said she had written to representatives of other government departments on the issue.