‘We cannot ignore Ireland’s obesity crisis’

Local Senator Robbie Gallagher has called on Government to step up it’s response to Ireland’s growing obesity crisis, saying the latest figures should be a wake-up call for politicians at both national and local level.

Ireland has the fourth-highest rate of obesity in the EU - with more than one in five adults considered excessively overweight.

The Senator said greater investment is needed in sport, recreation and community facilities alongside safe walking and cycling infrastructure with initiatives that encourage people to become more physically active.

“Prevention has to be at the centre of our health policy. It makes far greater sense to invest in keeping people healthy than to wait until they develop serious illnesses and then place even greater pressure on our already stretched health service,” he said.

“These figures should be a catalyst for action - not another statistic that is discussed for a few days and then forgotten”.