Weighty issue: 78% say their diet is healthy

A study has found that despite high levels of obesity in Ireland, eight out of 10 Irish adults consider themselves to be healthy.

Red C poll research highlights almost four in five people (78%) in Ireland believe they have a healthy diet — despite four in 10 (43%) categorising themselves as overweight.

In fact, the latest World Health Organisation statistics show 57% of the Irish population is overweight.

The level of denial indicates not enough of the population are about to take action against the obesity epidemic.

Only 9% of adults believe they need to radically change their eating habits, despite the fact the WHO classifies 25% of the Irish population as being obese.

Those aged 18-24 are least likely to think that they are overweight with just 21% believing they are such; in contrast 52% of those over 55 believe that they are overweight, the highest of any age bracket.

Despite obesity being more prevalent among those aged 55 or older, it is this age groups who are least likely to feel their diet is unhealthy.

A correlation between education and weight is also identified in the research. Those who have only basic education are almost twice as likely (66% compared to 36%) to believe that they are overweight than those who have completed a higher level of education.

The study is part of wider pan-European survey conducted by Win/Gallup International. Across Europe it is evident people believe themselves to be in good health (82%), although the extent to which they recognise a potentially unhealthy lifestyle does vary greatly.