It is not rocket science: overweight people are less healthy than others and die younger. As a society, we eat too much of the wrong foods and exercise too little.
Levels of obesity across all age groups have grown rapidly in recent years and we are facing a diabetes epidemic with massive cost implications for the health services.
The need for co-ordinated action between Government departments, the private commercial sector and communities in tackling this insidious threat was emphasised two years ago by a National Taskforce on Obesity. But progress in implementing its recommendations has been painfully slow. And a growing number of people have contracted diabetes and suffered from heart attacks, strokes, eye disease and kidney failure as a result.
Being obese at 40 years of age can reduce your life expectancy by seven years. And, if you smoke, the lifespan loss can be as much as 13 years. It is a frightening prospect. The number of people classified as obese is doubling every 10 years and the condition has become increasingly prevalent in children. The Irish food and drinks industry has acknowledged it has a role to play in combating this trend by catering for a balanced diet that is low in fat and high in fibre. And the European Parliament is promoting higher safety standards for food additives and labelling. To be effective, however, the campaign must become a communal effort.
Once a lifestyle pattern has become established, it is very difficult to change. That is why particular attention has been focused on young, school-going children and on measures that would help them remain fit and healthy and avoid Type 2 diabetes. The banning of vending machines from primary schools is one approach. But schools should be used to promote healthy eating and active living in a more co-ordinated way. All children should be guaranteed a minimum of 30 minutes exercise a day from qualified staff. And school and community facilities should be shared in the promotion of healthy eating and regular exercise. That will require special finance and co-ordination and commitment from Government departments.
Convenience foods are part of Irish life. But, given the health risks involved, they should not be permitted to contain excessive levels of fat, sugar and salt. Parents have a duty to monitor the weight of their children and provide a healthy, balanced diet. That is easier said than done, particularly as the parents themselves may be overweight. As with the smoking ban, it will take extensive publicity, community involvement and political commitment to make a difference.