Search for weapons of mass reduction as size does matter

THE search is on for weapons of mass reduction, a nutritionist told the Marketplace Ireland event at Croke Park in Dublin yesterday as he urged Irish food and drink companies to pay more attention to nutrition in their products.

British expert on health and well-being Professor David Richardstown told the event, organised by Bord Bia, that public health issues where nutrition, inactivity and other lifestyle factors were implicated included the increasing proportion of the population suffering from obesity, the high proportion of premature deaths (at least a third) due to cardiovascular disease, the increased incidence of type two diabetes, 30% to 40% of all cancers and osteoporosis.

This is taking place against a background of a changing society. Life expectancy is increasing, the family is declining, the labour market is changing, snacking is increasing and people have less spare time.