Nutritions want education, not tax, to fight flab

Nutritionists in Ireland are concerned that the Government could follow the British plans to introduce a 'fat tax' on unhealthy foods.

The Irish Nutrition Institute believes education is the only way of preventing people from becoming obese.

Margot Brennan of the Institute said the idea of introducing a tax on unhealthy food is nonsense.

“We reckon we are somewhere similar to the US where obesity is at 25% in children and that is quite frightening.

"We are seeing non-insulin dependant diabetes, something you would expect to see in middle aged people, in teenage children.

"I think that it a more important issue to educate the public as to where these things can fit into their diet as opposed to putting tax on food."