25% back prosecuting parents of obese children

One in four people believe the parents of morbidly obese children should face criminal prosecution for child abuse. An Irish Examiner / ICMSA opinion poll also shows 44% are in favour of a sugar tax, versus 39% who are opposed.

Men are more in favour of such a proposal, at 46%, compared with 34% of women who think it is a good idea.

Consultant endocrinologist and physician Donal O’Shea, based in St Vincent’s University Hospital and St Columcilles Hospital, Dublin, and an authority on obesity in Ireland, said the poll results on a sugar tax were “very encouraging”.