Big issue: Irish obesity hits endemic proportions

OBESITY is now endemic in Ireland where the number of cancer deaths remains above the EU average but our life expectancy has improved at a rate unmatched in the EU, a report has found.

The report, Health in Ireland: Key Trends, also found lifestyle risks remain to the fore as major areas of concern, particularly alcohol consumption, obesity and lack of physical exercise. The report, the second in a series published by the Department of Health, found:

* Overall life expectancy in Ireland stands at over 79 years, almost one year greater than the average for the EU. In 1980, our life expectancy was 72 years compared to an EU average of 74.