Gastric surgery should be routinely available to people with type 2 diabetes, international experts say, but anyone wanting it in Ireland will have to wait three years.

Obese patients in danger of developing diabetes reduced their risk by almost 80% under a treatment regime involving diet, exercise, and a drug — compared to those on a diet and exercise programme alone, a study has found.

Childhood obesity has plateaued, says Varadkar, but adds we must treat obesity as seriously as tobacco

Ireland’s surging childhood obesity rates have reportedly ground to a halt since 2008, while adult levels have almost halved.