Fine Gael Cork South Central Senator Jerry Buttimer has said that we need to draw up a national plan of action in order to tackle the problem of obesity. If this problem is left ignored Senator Buttimer said; “there will not only be a cost to the state from a financial aspect in terms of health but also from a societal aspect as well, as obesity related deaths are on the increase.”
“Currently, 39% of the population are overweight, while 18% are obese. That means that one in five people in the country are clinically obese, this is a crisis. Having taken part in RTÉ’s Operation Transformation earlier this year, I can appreciate the struggle and the commitment that is involved in changing lifestyle in order to lose weight.”
“We need to implement a traffic light system in terms of food labelling. This would allow people at a glance to see food that is healthy and those foods that are high in calories which are bad for them.”
“Not only are there major health problems associated with obesity but there are also serious psycho-social problems. This leads to people having low self esteem and low confidence. This has its own social consequences with people becoming isolated and having low productivity.”
“We need to develop a co-ordinated national plan in order to tackle this pending crisis. We need to improve education in this area, so that people understand the way to a healthy diet. Having gone through a very public weight loss programme on Operation Transformation, where I lost 21lbs, I now have a better understanding of what is required to live a healthier lifestyle.”
Concluding, Senator Buttimer said; “I would encourage the government to use Operation Transformation as a basis for a healthy eating campaign to encourage people to improve their own health and therefore the health of the nation.”