Enough already - Healthy Ireland

WHILE much of the nation was gorging on that big breakfast fry-up, yet another health survey landed on our collective plates.

This time, it’s mostly good news. More than four in five people report they are in good health, according to the Healthy Ireland survey from the Department of Health. The survey shows obesity has peaked and fallen slightly since the last survey in 2007, but that 60% of people are still overweight.

There are more Irish adults who are ex-smokers than current smokers and most people eat fruit and vegetables every day. On the other hand, we drink too much and eat too many snacks.

The report doesn’t say this, but we are also subject to far too many health surveys, leading us to fret over whether red meat is good or bad, or whether a glass of red wine is an elixir of life or will put us in an early grave.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar says the survey will now become an annual event but, for the sake of our mental health, please minister, enough already!