National survey - Lifestyle taking toll on health

As a nation, the comprehensive survey on the lifestyle of the Irish, published yesterday, gives more than a startling reason to pause and consider exactly what problems we are storing up for ourselves.

Health Minister Micheál Martin announced the results of the largest survey of its kind undertaken here, which shows the country is heading towards obesity.

There is, however, a modicum of consolation in the survey commissioned by the Department of Health and Children and conducted by the Centre for Health Promotion Studies, National University of Galway.