Doctors call for EU-wide approach to obesity crisis

DOCTORS on both sides of the Irish border have joined forces to call for an EU-wide approach to defuse the obesity “time-bomb” facing the continent.

In a rare move underlining growing medical concern, representatives of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) and the British Medical Association (BMA) said the situation is reaching crisis proportions.

According to the medical groups, more than half of all EU adults are either overweight or obese, with approximately 30% of all children – the equivalent of 22 million – in the politico-economic bloc also classed as overweight.

The child obesity-rate is increasing by an average of 400,000 cases across the EU every year, the groups have warned, with the issue now accounting for six out of the seven leading ill-health risk factors in Europe.

In Ireland, obesity is a major contributory factor in approximately 2,000 premature deaths every year, with the Department of Health confirming that 59% of men and 41% of women in this country are overweight.

Between 1998 and 2007, the number of people in Ireland with a weight above their recommended Body Mass Index (BMI) increased by 30%, with heart attacks, high blood pressure and stroke also on the rise.

Detailing the figures, IMO President, Prof Sean Tierney, said the issue had now become a crisis of epidemic proportions for both Ireland and the wider European community.

“In most EU member states, more than half of the adult population is overweight or obese.

“Prevention is much better than cure, and obesity prevention programmes or strategies combined with early treatment will reap the greatest dividends,” he said.

The comment was echoed by BMA Northern Ireland Council chairman, Dr Paul Darragh, who insisted action needs to be taken at EU level immediately if more needless early deaths are to be avoided.

“Obesity can lead to a number of life-threatening and life-limiting health problems.

“While our organisations have been lobbying our respective governments for some time to take effective action in order to avert the possible consequences on our children’s health in the future, we believe a joined-up approach at EU level would help defuse this ticking health time-bomb,” the senior clinician explained.

Among the measures the IMO and BMA are seeking to have implemented at EU level are an increased focus on balanced diet education; better access to healthier food; and limits to be placed on adverts for unhealthy foods targeted at children.

Almost 30% of children are overweight in the EU.

Professor Tierney said: “We strongly recommend the focus for children should be to encourage them to be physically active and enjoy a wide range of physical activities.”