500% rise in obesity among Irish boys

THE number of Irish boys who are obese has increased by half to almost one in six in just four years despite their being among the most physically active in Europe.

The number of 15-year-old girls who are obese has dropped slightly in the same period, but one in ten is still dangerously overweight.

Even if these young people lose weight now, their lifetime health has been compromised and they are at greater risk of cardiovascular problems as adults, according to a study from the EU and OECD.