Tipperary a long way from a slim waistline

WHEN it comes to lean, Tipperary has little to offer with the exception of Galtee Rashers.

In a country of burgeoning belts, the Premier County is tipping the national heavyweight scales.

Almost six in 10 Tipp inhabitants are overweight according to respondents to an online survey, compared with just four in 10 fatties in the Kingdom, which won the slimline crown. Just more than half of Corkonians are bordering on chunky compared with 46% in the capital and 55% of Shannonsiders.

The survey, by Hibernian Aviva Health, reveals almost half the population are either overweight or carrying dangerous amounts of fat. Some 61% of men ’fess up to being overweight compared with 39% of women.

A sorry lack of exercise among our adult population is feeding into the potbellied state of the nation, the research also found. On average just short of a quarter of us do no exercise at all.

Dr Stephen Murphy, GP, and member of the Hibernian Aviva Health Medical Council, said physical inactivity was extremely worrying given its link to heart disease, the number one killer in Ireland, and an increased risk of colon cancer.

“Regular exercise in conjunction with a healthy diet from a young age will have a huge benefit to your health in later years and it is never too late to start a healthier approach to life,” Dr Murphy said.

“While maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and exercise is important for general health, it is in heart health where some of the biggest health gains can be realised,” he added.

Dr Murphy said the location of fat stores in an overweight person can have a bearing on the risk of heart disease. A healthy waist measurement for a woman is less than 80cm/32 inches and for a man is less than 94cm/37 inches.

“If your waist circumference is larger than this, you should consider a weight loss programme immediately,” Dr Murphy said.

Dr Murphy said to maintain a healthy waist;

* Take at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity five days a week.

* Follow the food pyramid to eat a healthy diet .

* Avoid high-fat snacks and use alcohol moderately and preferably during meals.