National plan launched to combat rising obesity rates in Ireland

DUBLIN, Ireland - The Irish government has launched a national obesity plan in the wake of alarming statistics showing the country to be among the fattest nations in Europe. Yet the government’s efforts to combat the epidemic have not garnered unanimous support. 

A staggering 60 percent of Irish adults are overweight or obese, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) expects these levels to only increase in the future, leading to a further decrease in life expectancy.

The Department of Health introduced a new strategy, titled “A Healthy Weight for Ireland -  Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016 - 2025” in an effort to curb the rising statistics that are threatening the coming generations with premature death. 

The plan encompasses an array of measures across several sectors designed to aid in the prevention of overweight and obesity. 

Among the strategies outlined by the plan are laws on calorie posting requiring restaurants to disclose calorie counts in their meals, a controversial “sugar tax” placed on sugary drinks to help reduce consumption rates, introducing maximum portion sizes on unhealthy food and drinks, and other marketing restrictions. 

In addition to the above, other efforts to help Irish youth in particular were also introduced. They involve collaborating with the Department of Education to provide guidelines and awareness about healthy eating habits in Irish schools. 

The plan has received support from various interested parties, including the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. 

A poll by the Irish Examiner/ICMA showed that more Irish people are in favor of the controversial sugar tax than not.

However, some question the potential success of the plan, citing lack of funding as a surefire way to put the plan to rest in no time. 

Others believe the food and beverage industry will not cooperate and follow through with the suggested changes, especially if they are thought to be in conflict with corporate interests. 

Paul Kelly, the director of Food and Drink Industry Ireland, referred to the financial measures in the policy as “unfair, discriminatory, and not evidence-based.”