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”.