UP TO 60 per cent of people in Northern Ireland could be clinically obese unless dramatic policies to counter the problem are implemented, a key Assembly committee has warned.
The Stormont health committee warned in a report yesterday that problems associated with being overweight could overwhelm health services within 30 years and run out of control.
It has called for physical education to be made compulsory in schools and for greater efforts to promote healthy eating.
Committee members want the Department of Health to commission an urgent audit of obesity-related initiatives. They also want the Public Health Agency to maintain a central database of projects.
Jim Wells, the committee’s DUP chairman said the scale of the obesity threat was shocking and the quality of life for many people were grave.
The committee report called on Health Minister Michael McGimpsey “as a matter of urgency” to undertake “a comprehensive review of weight management services at all levels for adults and children”.
Mr McGimpsey said he welcomed all advice on fighting the problem.