Taskforce urges action to tackle obesity

Claire O’Sullivan

The National Taskforce On Obesity was launched by the Taoiseach yesterday. Bertie Ahern said that as Ireland has led the way worldwide with the smoking ban, it should lead the way on healthy and active living.

According to the report’s authors, the growing phenomenon of obesity already cost around 30 million in in-patient hospital costs in 2003 while the indirect costs of the condition, such as sick pay, are believed to cost 0.4 billion per year. It’s estimated that 2,000 people die prematurely in Ireland every year due to obesity.