Catherine Conlon: Operation Transformation funding cut is a very good move — here's why

New weight loss treatments will herald a revolution in treating obesity but equal focus must be placed on the urgent need to improve the food environment

‘Operation Transformation’ host Kathryn Thomas with one of the leaders Stephanie Bowden at the 2023 finale. Robert Watt’s decision to stop sponsoring the show is a significant step in moving the conversation around obesity away from blame and moral failure towards recognition of obesity as a disease. Picture: Andres Poveda

The Department of Health’s secretary general Robert Watt has brought its sponsorship of Operation Transformation through its Healthy Ireland initiative, to an emphatic halt, following reported ‘severe reservations’ about sponsoring the programme in 2022.

Reasons for the withdrawal of sponsorship of around €283,000 a year are not specified. But it is welcome news coming as evidence for the recognition of obesity as a complex and chronic brain disease that impacts on individual physical and mental wellbeing, gains momentum.