Obesity in men has tripled over the past 20 years, according to a nationwide study released today.
The National Adult Nutrition Survey, carried out by the Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance at UCC and UCD, found obesity in men went up from 8 per cent in 1990 to 26 per cent. It has also risen in women; from 13 per cent to 21 per cent.
Some 1,500 adults aged 18 to 90 took part in the study. They kept food diaries for four days and answered detailed questions about diet and exercise as well as having blood pressure taken and giving blood and urine samples.
The study found intakes of fruit and vegetables were well below international recommendations and four out of five adults were not getting enough fibre. More than 60 per cent of adults ate more fat than was recommended and salt levels were also high.
More than a quarter of adults surveyed drank more alcohol than was recommended. And women in particular were not getting enough nutrients, including iron, calcium and vitamin D.
Dr Anne Nugent of the UCD Institute of Food and Health said the rise of overweight and obesity in adults must be tackled. "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," she said.
There was a need to identify ways to help adults to adopt healthy eating and physical activity habits, she said.
The study was funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
