Meeting will address child obesity

[Posted: Tue 29/04/2008 by Niall Hunter, Editor www.irishhealth.com]

A medical expert has expressed concern at the rising levels of childhood obesity in Ireland.

Levels of obesity are rising rapidly in Ireland and childhood obesity has major implications for children, our health service and the health of the nation, according to Dr Enda Roche of the Faculty of Paediatrics at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI).

He said the issue of obesity should be tackled in the early years to stem the epidemic and promote a healthier future for our society.

"With families and health services working together we hope to have Ireland leading the way in the fight against sizeable problem," he said.

Dr Roche said one of the most important ways to prevent obesity is to become more active. "We recommend one hour of exercise a day for both adults and children."

He was speaking ahead of a public meeting in the RCPI in Kildare Street, Dublin at 6pm tonight entitled 'Promoting a Healthy Nation'.

Chaired by Ray Darcy, the speakers include Dr Roche, Dr Niall Moyna from the Faculty of Science and Health at DCU and Ursula O' Dwyer, nutrition policy adviser with the Department of Health.

For further details, Tel 01 863 9700.

hammer  Posted: 29/04/2008 13:20

What about adult obesity. You only have to look at the front benches to see that diet in Ireland is not considered that important.

Lemmy  Posted: 29/04/2008 16:36

What's your point Hammer?

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