Irish smaller and fatter but still looking on the bright side

IRISH people have become smaller and fatter in the past three years, gaining weight despite 25% being on a diet, according to the latest survey of food and obesity.

On average each person gained 1.6kg — the third highest in Europe — and shrank in height by 0.6cm.

One-third of Irish people now say they are too heavy. But they are the most optimistic in the EU about the state of their health, with almost 90% saying it is either good or very good.

Many say their weight is due to a lack of exercise with more than a third saying they never exercise, though that number has reduced from more than half in 2002. More than two-thirds say they have sports facilities in their area where they could exercise but more than a half say they have no time to do so.

They spend an average of close to five hours a day sitting including at work or watching television, which is 22 minutes less than the EU average. Those who take moderate exercise do so for about an hour a day, one of the lowest in the EU.

The 27% who changed their diet in the past year ate more fruit and vegetables, less fat and sugar, drank more water and one in five consumed less alcohol.

Most people believe what they eat normally is good for them and say it is easy to stick to a healthy diet.

But a third say that generally healthy food is bland and unappetising.

Over a third complained that they had no control over what they eat because someone else bought the food or they eat in canteens or restaurants.

Almost everyone questioned said the Government should do more to encourage people to exercise more and have a healthy diet.

EU Health and Consumer Commissioner Markos Kyprianou, launching the survey, said: “Most people are aware there is a problem with overweight and obesity in Europe and they also know that much depends on their willingness to address it and change their lifestyle”.

He said the EU would introduce a strategy to promote healthier diets and lifestyles next year. And he praised a number of convenience food companies including McDonald’s and Coca-Cola for taking steps to improve the nutritional information about their products and to limit advertising aimed at children.