War on obesity - Benefits to society will be enormous

THE report of the obesity task force is due to be launched by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today.

There are hundreds of different recommendations, and the Government is demonstrating its determination to implement them by having the Taoiseach take charge of the initiatives, which will involve the Departments of Health, Education, Agriculture and Environment.

The “joined-up government” approach highlights that this is not just a health issue; it is a series of issues that involves various departments. 90% of the task force’s recommendations deal with the prevention of obesity, which is described as a “normal reaction to an abnormal environment”.

We have created an environment in which parents and children are bombarded with bad nutritional advice. In many instances busy parents have been led to think of processed fast foods as an easy means of feeding their children without appreciating the health implications. In those circumstances it is easy to understand how children are being mislead.

There is already agreement among broadcasters about the need for changes at a European level to stop directing such advertising at children. The European Commission has been looking into the matter in the hope that voluntary restrictions can be agreed.

This country was to the forefront of banning tobacco advertising a quarter of a century ago, but a ban on junk food advertising would pose different problems now, because of the advent of satellite television. For one country to ban such advertising would handicap its television stations, while giving an advantage to foreign competitors.

The European Commissioner has promised to consider the introduction of legislation, if suitable advertising restrictions are not voluntarily agreed by the end of next month.

The task force report published today will call for vending machine in schools to sell only healthy foods, and ban the dispensing of fizzy drinks and chocolates.

There will also be a call for a more positive approach in requiring four hours of physical education a week for primary school children.

Obese people who lose just 10% of their weight have a 20% less chance of dying of an obesity-related illness, such as diabetes, or cardiovascular disease.

Thus, it is important that concerted efforts should be made to inform people that even a comparatively small loss of weight can made a huge difference to their health.

The Health Service Executive (Southern Area) is currently running a referral programme that allows for people in need of exercise to be lined up with health clubs and swimming pools, at which they will get reduced rates or even free access with a medical card. This system is due to be extended to the whole country. It will accommodate people who could not afford to attend a private gym.

The Government is also being called on to review the situation in which there is no VAT on a range of junk food, while the sale of bottled water and certain juices is taxed at 21%. This makes little sense.

Today’s recommendations will include a call for two further obesity clinics to be established in the country, because the one existing clinic has a huge waiting list.

The likely benefits for society of a determined, positive approach to the obesity problem could be enormous and, thus, well worth the effort.